this the last will and testament of me james …

this the last will and testament of me james … Ref ??? If Only 1 WITH THANKS. A book such as this depends upon the help of many people to enable it to reach its completed form. We wish to thank the staff of the Archives Authority of NSW, the Mitchell Library Sydney, Crown Lands Office, Land Titles Office, the Genealogical Library of the Latter Day Saints at North Parramatta, Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Campbelltown Library and the Saint James Church Archives. For help with the profiles on the children of Thomas Clarkson, we thank Coral Searle, Marie Atkins, Pamela Fulton, Kath Stokes, Sylvia Hamblyn and Ian Ramage to whom we are very grateful, for their contributions and help. A special thank you to Mr Len Fox for his help with the Stone Mill at Darlinghurst; also to Margaret and Arthur Townsend of Eschol Park for their support and patience with us as we invaded their house a number of times. Most importantly, we three extend our heartfelt thanks to our husbands and children who have endured many long months of "The Book" and who in return encouraged, supported, suggested, laughed and cried with us over our efforts. Much time, effort and expense has been spent in ensuring the facts included in this book are accurate but we welcome any constructive correspondence on the contents, or on any additional information. This book has been privately printed in a limited edition, and is for family distribution. Further copies may be obtained by contacting the authors; Christine Woodhead Marlene Willcocks Margaret Aitken Address; 6 Finch Avenue Rydalmere 2116 N.S.W. This book has been the result of the combined research of Christine Woodhead, Marlene Willcocks and Margaret Aitken. Christine and Marlene are direct descendants of Thomas Clarkson, as is Brian Aitken, husband of Margaret. Thomas Clarkson is our G.G.G.G, grandfather. Our line descends through his daughter Sarah, whose son, Mountford Cook, married Jane Gavenlock. Through Thomas Clarkson our children are sixth generation Australians and it is to these children that we dedicate our enormous efforts in producing this story. To you, Scott, Nicole, Belinda Justin and Natalie Christopher and Daniel, here is part of your heritage_ ? 1988 Christine Woodhead, Marlene Willcocks, Margaret Aitken ISBN 0 7316 3082 3 . IF ONLY 2 Ref ??? If Only As our research progressed, the role Thomas Clarkson assumed during his life unfolded and offered us an insight into the talents and energy this extraordinary man possessed. His enormous drive and industry should have been sufficient to provide him and his family with all the wealth and assets he desired. However he lacked the one trait that those of his time possessed and used to gain lasting recognition ... that of foresight. IF ONLY he'd been a little more cautious... IF ONLY he'd not borrowed as often... IF ONLY the debts had been cleared... IF ONLY he'd been content with fewer investments... IF ONLY,,, IF ONLY,,, IF ONLY,.. GLOSSARY ABSOLUTE PARDON; Pardon given by the Governor with no conditions attached, APOPLEXY; A stroke, ASSIGNED; Allocated for work, ASSIZES; Court of Law. BANNS; The proclamation in church necessary for a regular marriage, BARTERING; Trade, exchange for goods, BILL OF EXCHANGE; Receipt. CERTIFICATE OF FREEDOM; Given to prove sentence, or part of sentence had expired. Person was then an Emancipist, CHATTELS; Property, excepting real estate, CIRCA; ...Approximately, CONDITIONAL PARDON; A Certificate of Freedom with a condition that return to England was prohibited, COUNTY; Divisions within England, similar to Shires, DIVERS; Various, DOWER; Widow's share of her husband's estate. EMANCIPIST; A Convict who has been freed, FIERI FACIAS; To be auctioned, GOVERNMENT STORES; Goods collected by the Government to provide relief for all, HULK; Disused ship used as a prison, INDENT (INDENTURES) ; Contract; Document listing convict details, INDULGENCE; Something granted as a favour (by the Government in this case), MEMORIAL: A letter from an individual to the government stating facts, . MUSTER; A Gathering of details on inhabitants, sometimes included stock and land, MESSUAGE; A dwelling-house with adjacent buildings, NATIVE BORN; Born in the colony of either free or convict stock, NON ALIENATION; A condition placed on land grants prohibiting sale or alienation of the land for a period of five years from the original grant -- this was supposed to prevent the land changing hands without being developed, but the system was much abused. 3 Ref ??? If Only ON STORES/OFF STORES: Relying on the Government for food and clothing. PARISH REGISTER: Records kept by the church officials regarding births, deaths and marriages. (birth dates were sometimes given at the time of baptising). PETITION: As for memorial, A letter by an individual or group to the Government. PLAINTIFF: One who sues in court. PLETHORIC: Overdone or excessive. PROMISSORY NOTE: An old fashioned I.O.U. Could be passed on as legal tender until payment was demanded. New owners added their names as endorsement and the onus to pay moved back down the chain of owners. PUBLIC-HOUSE: An inn or shop for the retail of spirituous liquors. QUIT RENT: A rate payable after the expiration of 5 years upon the grant given. SIC: Thus; usually inserted in brackets to show that the word is quoted as it was found to be. TICKET OF LEAVE: Given to a convict to enable him to work and to give him permission to move around in a permitted area of the colony. TRANSCRIPT: Copy of proceedings. WARRANT OF ATTORNEY: Here used to mean a guarantee to pay. WRIT OF CAPIAS: A case to be answered. . 4 Ref ??? If Only INTRODUCTION To the family of Thomas Clarkson We came from Kingsbury, many generations ago. Our family ties stretch over the seas to this small village in the northern part of Warwickshire, England. Kingsbury itself, is surrounded by open heathland and distant from the large city of Birmingham some twenty miles. Before the Industrial Revolution, Kingsbury would have been a small agricultural community, but later, collieries, brickworks and gravel pits were the main industrial developments. (1) Various Clarkson families can be traced back through the Parish Registers here. The earliest recorded event was the baptism of James Clarkson, son of Samuel and Deborah Clarkson. (2) Their babe was baptised in the church in Kingsbury in 1658. That these people are direct ancestors of Thomas Clarkson, is not easy to prove, as there is a gap in the registers of about three generations. However, from these records a line for Thomas Clarkson can be traced as follows; (3) Thomas' grandparents were Samuel and Hannah (Cox), who were married in Birmingham on 18 January 1727. They had five children, of whom Thomas' father was the fourth. Ann baptised March 1727 Kingsbury Sarah baptised I January 1729 Kingsbury Hannah baptised 20 April 1731 Kingsbury *Samuel baptised 13 February 1732 Kingsbury James baptised 27 June 1735 Kingsbury Thomas' parents were Samuel and Mary (Hargraves). Samuel Clarkson baptised 13 February 1732 at Kingsbury_ Mary Hargraves baptised 2S July 1738 at Curdworth_ Samuel and Mary were married in Kingsbury 24 August 1758. The couple had eight children, all baptised in Kingsbury. Sarah baptised 21 June 1759 Samuel baptised 31 December 1760 **Thomas baptised 25 March 1763 William baptised 12 April 1765 Mary baptised 2 October 1768 Elizabeth baptised 20 October 1771 Hannah baptised l6 March 1774 James baptised 1 January 1776 CLARKSON CHILDREN Catherine Bapt 29 May 1798 Kingsbury, Eng Married Thomas Rowley 27 February 1818 Castlereagh, NSW Died 19 July 1858 Minto NSW . John Bapt 2 December 1799 Kingsbury, Eng Mountford Born 6 June 1802 Kingsbury, Eng Died 18 November Kingsbury, Eng Hannah Bapt 18 November 1802 Kingsbury, Eng Sarah Born 23 February 1804 Kingsbury, Eng Bapt 2 June 1816 St Phillips Syd. NSW 5 Ref ??? If Only Married Michael Cook 9 August 1824 St Luke's Liverpool NSW Died 17 August 1877 St Leonards, Syd NSW Thomas Born 13 January 1810 Sydney NSW Bapt 2 June 1816 St Phillips Syd. NSW Married Maria Fielder 26 December 1830 Scots Church Sydney Presbyterian Mountford Born 15 March 1812 Sydney NSW Bapt 2 June 1816 St Phillips Syd. NSW Married Jemima Fisher 21 October 1833 St Phillips Sydney, NSW Married Mary Ann Smith 14 March 1850 St James Sydney, NSW Died 15 July 1885 Camperdown C of E Ann Born 20 March 1815 Sydney NSW Bapt 2 June 1816 St Phillips Syd. NSW Married William Simons 22 February 1831 Goulburn Plains NSW Died 27 December 1864 Goulburn NSW Mary Born 19 September 1818 Sydney NSW Bapt 2 January 1819 St Phillips Syd. NSW Married William Harris 3 February 1840 Goulburn NSW C of E A LONG WAY FROM HOME It was a busy morning that 26th day of March, when the London judges of the Midland Circuit opened the Assizes in Warwickshire. Appearing before Judge Chambre and his colleagues was the usual stream of prisoners, gathered to answer the various charges brought against them and to be sentenced accordingly. Among hose committed for trial that day was one Thomas Clarkson, arrested and charged with circulating a counterfeit ?1 Bank of England note, (the official term was "uttering" the note,). Along with Thomas was Richard Clarkson, (relationship to Thomas unstated), charged with a similar offence. With them was John Mills, for having in his possession some forged Bank of England notes and William Henshall and Thomas Ashford for making and counterfeiting silver dollars. These five men joined the throng of felons doomed to be sentenced that day. The proceedings were reported on in the Aris' Gazette of the 1 April 1805 and it listed the above persons, together with many others, who heard their fates announced that day, (1) The similarity of the crimes of these five men has caused us to wonder whether the five men were engaged in a money making venture together and not just "lone offenders' . Attempts to prove the connection have been thwarted by the fact that the transcripts of the trials of the Midland Circuit were destroyed by a clerk in the 19th Century. An account of this trial would have made interesting reading and added much to our background on Thomas Clarkson but its loss leaves us only to speculate on the events which led to his passing the forged note. We do know that they all appeared that same day and were sentenced to transportation to NSW and that the five men found themselves together . once again, some months later, when they appeared together on the indent of the same ship, the "Alexander", Thomas and Richard for 14 years; John Mills similarly and William Henshall and Thomas Ashford for 7 years apiece. (2) They were to join the steady stream of souls already leaving England's shores by the boatloads, bound for the new penal colony. 6 Ref ??? If Only Petty crime in England had reached almost epidemic proportions at this time, and the authorities were at a loss to control or even deal with it effectively. Even the severity of the sentences did nothing to deter the crime rate. This was made even worse by the changed social conditions brought about by the Industrial Revolution. People flocked to the cities looking for work in the factories, moving away from their farms to work at machines or in mines. They crowded together in dingy tenements and toiled long hours. All this just added to their poverty and hardship, ------ p4 ------Parish of Bedworth image Regularly the courts filled to capacity and regularly harsh sentences were dealt out to these unfortunates. As a result the gaols became hopelessly overcrowded. When England lost control of the American Colonies in 1783, she had nowhere to send her "overflow" from her gaols, so those doomed for banishment wound up on the shores of a new penal colony in NSW. England was also facing many external problems at this time, particularly with her French neighbours. At the very time of Thomas Clarkson's misfortune, England was actively engaged in the Battle of Trafalgar. In fact that very year, 1805, when Thomas' destiny was altered, news reached England of the death of her hero, Lord Nelson, on board his ship "Victory". The same issue of the Aris' Gazette carried another item of interest. Under a heading "Bankrupts to Surrender" we find Thomas Clarkson listed again. (3) Thomas Clarkson, late of Kingsbury, (but now a prisoner in the Warwick gaol) April 24, 25, and May 11 at the Warwick Arms, Warwick, Solicitor, Mr Whateley, Birmingham. None of the other men were mentioned here. Perhaps this was the reason for his need for forged money. The Birmingham Library provided the following background to the report; "Warwick gaol was the prison in the town of Warwick, the county town. Prisoners awaiting trial at Warwick Assizes would have been held there as well as convicted prisoners. The Warwick Arms would have been a public house" (4) The Warwickshire County Records Office provided the following information; "Thomas would have been required to surrender his account books etc. on 24 or 25 April or on May 11 next at the Warwick Arms hotel in the High Street in Warwick, his solicitor being Mr Whateley of Birmingham. Warwick Gaol was at this time in Northgate Street, about 5 minutes walk from the Warwick Arms". (5) Thomas' fate was not his alone to suffer. It was shared with a wife and young family. Ten years previously, in the parish of Bedworth, in Warwick, Thomas Clarkson of Kingsbury, had married Catherine Rayson, the daughter of Thomas Rayson and Sarah Bennett. (6) Thomas Clarkson of the parish of Kingsbury and Catherine Rayson of this parish (Bedworth) were married in this church by licence this eighteenth day of August in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety four. By me Jos. Twigger . Curate. This marriage was solemnized between us Thomas Clarkson Catherine Rayson In the presence of: John Rayson, X (his mark) and Mary Turner 7 Ref ??? If Only The couple returned to Kingsbury to establish a home and begin the rearing of their family. The baptisms of their children appear in the Kingsbury Parish Registers indicating they were resident in Kingsbury for those years.(7) Catherine bapt 29 May 1798 John bapt 2 December 1799 Mountford born 6 June 1802, buried 18 Nov 1802 Hannah bapt 18 November 1802 Sarah born 23 February 1804 (8) The fate of Hannah Clarkson is unknown ---- she disappears from our records here. FAMILY CONNECTIONS Richard Clarkson; The exact relationship of Richard Clarkson to the Thomas of our story, is uncertain, but it is not an unreasonable assumption that they may have been cousins. Richard Clarkson, the son of George Clarkson and Susannah, was baptised in Birmingham on 3 June 1773.(9) A Richard Clarkson, was married in Birmingham in 1796 to Jane Henshall.(10) It will be remembered that William Henshall was arrested and charged with forging at the same time as Richard and Thomas and he also accompanied them to NSW in the same ship. Was this marriage of Richard's the link between the men? Richard Clarkson, aged 32, (married man?) with no apparent family, was banished from his home and transported to NSW per the ship "Alexander" arriving in August 1806.(11) Time was to show that fate was a little harsher in its treatment of this Clarkson son. He was obviously not happy to remain in the colony after his arrival, for on 28 March 1807, he was before the Magistrates bench to answer charges of attempting to escape from the colony.(12) Thomas Shirley, Richard Clarkson, Thomas Russell, Peter McGorden, Edmund White and Robert Fox charged with being found on board the "Star" and the "Lucy" with intent to escape from the colony. Proved. 200 lashes each and qaol gang. Both parts of the punishment were severe; 200 lashes was a usual, but not a welcome punishment and the gaol gangs were reputed to contain the very worst of the convict types. These men suffered from extremely hard work and harsh treatment from some supervisors. In 1808 Richard Clarkson negotiated the sale of a house in what was then known as Barrack Row.(13) Sale of a house, No 11 Barrack Row from James Bannister to Richard Clarkson for ?35 --- ?20 paid and ?15 to be paid. The sale was continued and finalised 13 April 1810 when under the Governorship of Lachlan Macquarie the street names were changed and all leases and sales tidied up. Bargain and sale dated 13 April 1810 from James Bannister of Sydney to Richard Clarkson of the same place in "Consideration of ?35-- all that messuage and . premises situate No 10 Soldier's Row Sydney, to he held by said Clarkson his heirs and assigns forever signed by J. ?????? X his mark In the presence of Francis Neason X his mark. (14) 8 Ref ??? If Only This sale was registered at the Attorney General's Office 22 April 1811. Richard Clarkson next appeared in the muster of 1811 which lists only name, ship arrived on and sentence. (15) "Richard Clarkson Alexander 14 years" The muster taken in 1814 added the following;(16) Richard Clarkson, Alexander 2, T of Leave. Tinman_ It was during this year that we find the first official record of the association of Thomas and Richard to one another in the colony. (17) Transfer dated 4 July 1814 Between Richard Clarkson of Sydney of the one part and Thomas Clarkson of the same place of the other part--- In consideration of the sum of ?79/18/0 sterling due and owing by Richard Clarkson to Thomas Clarkson which he is at present unable to pay --- Hath granted payment sold to the said Thomas Clarkson, his heirs etc. All that house and premises No 10 Soldier's Row, now called York Street. To have and to hold Executed in the presence of Richard Hughes In all probability Richard resumed possession of the premises after repaying the debt as the property does not show up in Thomas' negotiations but is referred to in an indenture made in 1817, by a later owner.(18) This indenture was made between Mary and William Wall, who agreed to live apart. In order to make provision for his wife and his three children, William left them the premises known as No 10 Soldier's Row, now known as York Street, premises formerly in the possession or Richard Clarkson and latterly in the possession of George Williams. There is also record of a house in Hunter Street Parramatta being sold by Richard Clarkson to John Curtis for ?50. The house was once the property of James Hardwick. This was on 25 May 1815.(19) We are unaware of any other events in the life of Richard Clarkson of NSW. On the 30 May 1817 Richard Clarkson aged 45 years passed away.(20) He spent just 11 years here in the colony and left us wondering ---- "Just who was Richard Clarkson?". BRAVE DECISIONS The decision for Catherine Clarkson to take her children and accompany Thomas Clarkson halfway across the world, with the added stigma of being the family of a convict, was indeed a brave one. It would be in a strange land, this new home, away from friends and family. They would be on their own, totally. Catherine must have been aware that survival as a family unit would very much depend on their abilities to cope with many unknown factors but in spite of this, she chose to go. Already she had endured some months alone, without the support of her husband, while Thomas was imprisoned in Warwick gaol prior to his conviction.(21) Now it was obvious that this added misfortune was not going to separate the family. We can only speculate their feelings and the decisions they may have had to make, but, one way . or another, the final decision for the family to embark was made, and in January 1806 they were aboard the "Alexander" ---- Thomas in chains and Catherine and her babes, Catherine, John and Sarah, with the distinction of "coming free". It has been a hotly disputed issue as to whether their son John accompanied the family or not, but we are of the opinion that he did, and the reasons for this will be discussed in a later chapter. 9 Ref ??? If Only A letter from Lord Hawkesbury, dated 19 December 1805 to the Commissioner of Convicts, A.H. Bradley (Esq), requested that 150 convicts who were considered in good health and not showing signs of any infectious diseases were to be selected and embarked on the ships "Fortune" and "Alexander" and transported to NSW.(22) Mrs Wiseman, wife of Solomon Wiseman, a convict, accepted passage on the "Alexander" Transport, with her husband, in the place of Mrs Henshall who decided not to accompany her husband William to NSW.(23) In January 1806 the ships "Fortune" and "Alexander" were lying at Portsmouth under the command of Henry Moore and Richard Brookes respectively. A contract to transport the convicts on board these vessels was drawn up by Thomas Shelton of the Sessions House in the City of London with merchants Peter Everitt Mestaer, of New Broad St, and John Locke of America Square, both of London. The terms were clearly set out. They were to transport the convicts and produce evidence of landing each one, and to ensure none returned to England or Ireland. For this they were to receive 5/ for each convict delivered into the hands of William Bligh Esquire Governor General of NSW. It was signed by both merchants on the 28 January 1806.(24) The convicts listed on the indent annexed to the contract were already on board the two ships. By this date Thomas Clarkson would have been in gaol for over eleven months, perhaps even on one of the hulks. This list, or indent as it was known, gives us basic details of the individuals in the holds, their names, date and place or conviction and sentence. Indents in later years would show a wealth or detail which would enable a researcher to compile a fairly comprehensive profile or the convict in question. Unfortunately data such as age, place of origin, marital status, education and colouring or hair, eyes and complexion found on later indents is not available to us as they were not noted at the time of Thomas' conviction, it just states: Thomas Clarkson, Warwick Assizes, 26 March 1805, 14 years. (25) The "Alexander" was under the command of Capt. Richard Brookes. His reputation had been under a cloud since his voyage in the convict ship "Atlas". On that occasion he had disregarded the welfare of his charges to such an extent that on arrival Governor King described them as being dreadfully emaciated and close to death. Captains of these convict ships had very quickly realized that the supply of goods to the new colony was a lucrative business, and Brookes, more concerned with his retail goods than his human cargo, crammed every available space (even parts of the hospital) with commodities and liquor to sell for his own private profit. On arrival however, he was refused permission to unload his spirits, as it was considered supplies of spirits would only add to the increasing problem caused by liquor at the time. In spite of the fact that serious charges were leveled against Brookes, he escaped disciplinary action and was surprisingly given another command, ---- that of the "Alexander". Brookes brought the vessel to anchor in Sydney Cove on 20 August 1806, just six and a half months after departing Portsmouth and this time there were no reports nor complaints of ill treatment or neglect. . The arrival of the "Alexander" was reported in the Ship's News of the Sydney Gazette 24 August 1806. On Wednesday arrived the "Alexander", Captain Brookes, formerly of the "Atlas", with 14 males and 42 female prisoner, all remarkably healthy and with the loss of only one of the former on the passage and one child likewise... (26) 10 Ref ??? If Only Ships' captains sought to protect themselves from debts incurred by the crew whilst ashore, and it was customary for them to caution the settlers against giving credit. The Sydney Gazette 24 August 1806 ran one such item--- (27) Notice Captain Richard Brookes of the ship "Alexander" of London, hereby cautions the inhabitants from crediting the crew of the said ship as he will not be responsible for any debts contracted by them. Those on the "Alexander" and "Fortune" were not the only ones to arrive that August. Just a few days earlier, Governor King's successor, Captain William Bligh had arrived on the "Lady Magdaleine Sinclair", to relieve Governor Philip Gidley King. . 11 Ref ??? If Only Governor King's six years at the helm had not been easy. He had added his contributions to the developing colony, had dealt with the revolt of the Irish at Vinegar Hill but was unable to withstand the wiles of John Macarthur and the members of the Rum Corps. King encouraged the small farmer, whereas Macarthur advocated large holdings and more power for the well to do free settlers. The Rum Corps on the other hand held a monopoly on trade and had created a very unstable economy with their rum trafficking. To make matters worse the colony experienced an acute food shortage created by the floods on the Hawkesbury in 1806, and this was in turn aggravated by the high price of supplies. Into this scene sailed William Bligh and Thomas Clarkson within days of each other. Together, they may have arrived, but their welcome would be anything but similar. Bligh was greeted by Major Johnson and Captain Houstan and received Governor King's congratulations on his appointment; Thomas Clarkson would have been mustered, along with the other felons aboard, to be met by the Colonial Secretary. Having first checked their particulars, he would have then supervised their disembarkation. An assignment of employment was then issued to each convict, for as well as serving time in the colony they were to be a work force. (Labour being urgently needed for clearing ground, preparing roadways, public buildings etc.) If a convict had a trade or was a skilled worker he might be given work in his field if his services could be utilised. An example of this was in the case of William Henshall, convicted and transported with Thomas Clarkson. He was guilty of forging silver dollars in 1806 but in 1813, now a silversmith, he was employed by Governor Macquarie to convert Spanish Dollars into the well known Dump and Holey Dollar. It was obvious Henshall continued and fostered his old trade in the colony and it had served him well. (28) The assignment system was introduced by Governor Phillip in 1709. It placed convicts in the charge of Officers and Free Settlers but they were still fed and clothed by the Government. This was known as being "on stores". After 1802, those using the services of assigned convicts had to undertake to feed and clothe them in return for a ten hour working day; five days a week and six hours on Saturday. The convict could then feel free to work for himself for wages under another employer, payment usually in rum. So it was with Thomas Clarkson. He found himself assigned to his wife Catherine, and so received no indulgences from the Government, Proof of this was given by Catherine herself in later memorials. . 12 Ref ??? If Only On 12 October 1806, Catherine purchased land, "with a small house erected on it" in Upper Bell Row from John Parks. She claimed she paid ?38 for the land, and that she received, in return, a receipt. This receipt was to serve as a title to the holding.(29) Now the family had a home, and since, as Catherine was to repeatedly claim, they received no indulgences from the Government, they obviously intended to be as independent as possible and to make the most of what this new life offered them. TROUBLE AGAIN Thomas Clarkson was certainly a man to make the most of opportunities, even if it involved taking risks. One of these risks was to catch up with him barely two months after his arrival. On 28 October 1806 he stood before the courts again, this time in NSW. He was being charged with theft, accused by Captain Brookes of embezzling half a roll of tobacco from the store of the "Alexander'. It was alleged he was abetted in this by Thomas Newsham. The Sydney Gazette of 19 November carried an account of the proceedings and it's ultimate result, but incorrectly attributed the crime to William Clarkson.(30) A check of the "Alexander`s" indent and a copy of the trial transcript confirms the fact that it was Thomas Clarkson. Thomas denied he'd stolen the tobacco and claimed he owned a full roll (his wife, Catherine, he claimed, having purchased it in Rio). He sold one half to the Purser (who was absent at the time of the trial) and the other half to a Mr Skinner in Pitt's Row just after he arrived. Various witnesses testified to having seen, or not seen, the tobacco in the possession of both men and these testimonials formed the basis of the entire case. In spite or a spirited battle by Newsham to clear himself, a verdict was handed down against both men--- Guilty... 2 years hard labour at Castle Hill. Newsham petitioned the board to consider a second hearing so he could produce additional witnesses and this was agreed to. Subsequently the case was dismissed and the former conviction stood.(31) Once again the Clarkson family was to experience another interruption to their family life. This time it would be for two years. Captain Bligh's exploits have been well documented. He had come to the colony highly recommended and was considered the ideal man to tackle the problems besetting the infant colony. In spite of every effort his capabilities were tested to the limit. The wealthy settlers or "exclusives" were fearful that they were losing privileges, and this in turn, was dividing the community. Some supported the rights clung to by the exclusives, and some supported the battling emancipists. Before too long the old game of "Get the Governor" was underway once more. This culminated in Bligh's arrest of Macarthur, who in turn prevailed upon Johnson to place Bligh under house arrest. This was the incident known as the RUM REBELLION. Belatedly, William Paterson arrived from Van Diemen's Land to assume control of the colony, but it was more than a year later before Bligh could be persuaded to . leave. It is difficult to ascertain just which side of this domestic dispute Thomas Clarkson favoured with his support. From available sources, it appears that a lot of the inhabitants were guilty of supporting both sides, either out of fear or intimidation. Signatures of the same party appear on conflicting petitions and accusations of coercion were numerous. 13 Ref ??? If Only Overall, the years 1806 - 1808 had not proved a happy period for either William Bligh or Thomas Clarkson; both had ended up imprisoned. ON WITH LIFE. If, as Catherine claims, she received no indulgences from the Government, and had Thomas assigned to her "off stores", then she must have set up some sort of business to support herself and her children, ---- especially during the time Thomas was at Castle Hill. Just when she began the baker's shop is uncertain but events of 1809 indicate it was well underway by May of that year and also show that Thomas was with them. On the 13 May 1809 Thomas faced the Bench of Magistrates charged as follows:(32) Thomas Clarkson brought up, he having been convicted before the Sitting magistrate in the full penalty for 36 ounces deficient in the weight of 16 loaves , he now applies for mitigation of the same. He was instructed to pay 2/- per month until the full amount of ?2/12/- was paid within the year. Bread at the time was priced at 10d a loaf. The problem of honest retailing was a continual headache and even the weight of loaves of bread was scrutinized. The price was advertised in the paper and people not adhering to the regulations set down were subject to prosecution. The use of rum and spirits as a bartering commodity had resulted in a highly unstable economy. Rum had become an accepted means or payment as had an array of "colonial currency" such as; promissory notes, Spanish Dollars and other coins. Moves had been mace to install Sterling currency as the only payment for debts but it was a scarce item. In November 1809, a complaint was laid against Thomas Clarkson for failing to honour Bills drawn by him, payable in sterling currency. Thomas had offered to pay in "other money" but George Wright, a clerk of Mr Bevan, (an auctioneer and dealer) would not accept this. Thomas stated he had recently had bills circulating to the sum of ?70 and, that having just paid them, he was left with no surplus Sterling currency.(33) The fact that he was circulating bills meant he was already participating in the "credit system" ways of the colony. Thomas made certain improvements to his lifestyle during the time William Paterson was in charge. In December 1809 "William Paterson. Lieutenant Governor, and commanding for the time being in and over His Majesty's Territories" taking into consideration Thomas Clarkson's good conduct, conditionally remitted the rest of his sentence.(34) Thus he was elevated from felon to Emancipist. Once freed, he applied for the lease of the allotment of land on which they were already living. Bear in mind that at this time Elizabeth Street did not exist and the land would have been mid Hunter Street (Upper Bell Row) not on the corner.(35) By Col, Wm. Paterson Commanding etc etc I do hereby acknowledge that the allotment of ground now in the occupation of Thomas Clarkson situate in Upper Bell Row in the town of Sydney bounded . on the N. side by the street bearing W S 77' On the W by the lines S6 W 72' and S E119'. On the S by a line E3 S 72' and on the E Side by a line W 5 W133 touching Biggs and McKellop leases thence E 18 ft and N 1 W 59ft to the street. Contains 51 rods is to be considered as demised and let to the said Thomas Clarkson for the term of 14 years from the date paying an annual Quit rent of 5/-. In testimony whereof etc this 30 Dec. 1809. W Paterson. 14 Ref ??? If Only This land was to remain in the possession of the Clarksons until 1840. By then it was under dispute and had been bounded on the West by the new road, Elizabeth Street, and had been resurveyed. It also contained 2 additional portions of land on the South. Upper Bell Row was renamed Hunter Street and the property was on the corner or Hunter and Elizabeth Streets. Today the Goodsell building is on the original site. ------ p16 ------ Parish of St James The acquisition of his conditional pardon had elevated Thomas' social standing in the community to that of a "freed convict" --- an Emancipist. With this in mind, and knowing the lease of his land was secured, Thomas could have been forgiven for thinking that perhaps he'd had his run of bad luck and that fortune might now shine a little his way. That feeling was to be short lived. In fact it lasted barely a month. A notice in the Sydney Gazette dated 4 January 1810 was to almost destroy the precious gains Thomas Clarkson had made.(1) The notice had been inserted by the new Governor, Lachlan Macquarie, who had arrived on 28 December 1809 in the "Hindustan.". His own regiment had accompanied him, for the purpose of replacing the Rum Corps, (who were to be disbanded). On landing he marched them to, and bivouacked them at Grose Farm. Having relieved Bligh and sent him, and the remnants of the Corps, back to England, Macquarie set about his saga of reformation and improvement. He immediately revoked all land grants and pardons issued during the time Bligh was removed from office, and it was with reference to this that he made his announcement in the Gazette. The notice requested that all emancipation papers granted during this time be surrendered.(2) Whilst Thomas was considering the action he was to take to defend, and possibly retain his freedom, his first colonial born child arrived.(3) This "Currency kid", born 13 January 1810, was named after his battling father, Thomas. Perhaps his son's birth was a reminder of responsibilities, and perhaps Thomas' own desire to be free and to provide for his family, encouraged him to submit the following petition to the new Governor. He enclosed his emancipation papers and a request that he not be taken back into Government employ, but instead remain self-sufficient and amongst his family, so as to provide for his family of 4 small infants.(4) Sydney Feb 2nd 1810 The humble petition of Thomas Clarkson humbly shewith That his Excellency Late Lieutenant Governor Paterson taking into consideration the large family of your petitioner and his good conduct since his arrival in this colony humanely emancipated him. According to the notice inserted in the 1ast Gazette requiring all persons to deliver up said emancipations. This Petitioner returns his, trusting implicitly to your Excellency's Benevolence, most humbly implores your humane permission to be discharged off the stores thereby enabling Petitioner to provide for his family, consisting of 4 small infants and his wife and Petitioner will be grateful. Thomas Clarkson . Petitioner is a baker and malter by trade and if taken into Government employ his business will be totally destroyed. Thomas' pleas were treated compassionately, as were those of many other convicts who were affected by the decree, and although it was 1811 before his pardon became official,(5) his lifestyle did not appear to have suffered any changes at all. Events of 1810 indicate he 15 Ref ??? If Only was still conducting his business from Hunter Street and was in fact aspiring to add further interests to his present line of work. Governor Lachlan Macquarie had a long list of priorities to which he devoted a great deal of attention almost immediately on assuming control of the colony. One, as we have already mentioned was the granting of Pardons and land grants during the reign of the Rum Corps, another was the problem caused by the trafficking in rum, fast becoming a favoured bartering unit. In order to control and curb this practise to some extent, it was considered advisable to encourage beer drinking among the labourers and lower classes.(6) For this purpose, the cultivation of barley was supported and Macquarie granted Brewing and retailing licences to publicans, who would provide copious amounts of beer at a moderate price. The licence carried an annual tax of 5/- and ?25 sureties for the publican, and another ?25 to ensure he kept an orderly House. He was not allowed, at this time, to sell either wine or spirits, and, to vend without a licence, would incur legal prosecution. On 21 July 1810 a public notice, inserted in the Sydney Gazette reported 50 licences had been issued and the name of Thomas Clarkson(sic) Bell Row"(7) was included in the list. A check of the list of licences issued the previous November (1809)(8) does not reveal his name, so perhaps this 1810 licence was the first one he applied for. In order to operate his business. Thomas would have had to make certain improvements to his premises. Facilities to store grain and the addition of his malthouse and brewery, (mentioned in later documents) may also have been included in his extensions at this time. Macquarie was keen to put the town of Sydney into some sort of organised plan. He set to work tidying up the streets and making them fit for the traffic they were having to cope with, and ordered the formation of some new streets.(9) Any person whose home or land was effected by the changes was compensated for the loss or given assistance to relocate at a more suitable location. An associate of Thomas', Mark Millington, living in Bell Row (Hunter Street), was repaid with 5 gallons of rum valued at ?2/12/6 for the inconvenience of having to take down and relocate his house with assistance from the Government, (Perhaps this was the house Thomas purchased from him in 1812) .(10) His Excellency, the Governor. Having found it expediate to form and name a few more streets and lanes in the town of Sydney with a view to dividing it the more readily into regular districts, the following plan of the said Streets and Lanes is now published for General Information Signed Lachlan Macquarie.(11) Among other changes advertised was---- (12) No 25 New Street Elizabeth Street---Leading from Hunter St in a southerly direction on the West side of Clarkson's House, East and running parallel with Castlereagh St and terminating in Hyde Park This establishes the exact location of Clarkson's House and is in fact the same allotment he was granted lease of by Paterson the previous year, indicating he . retained possession, although, as we are to learn later, no official grant was applied for to Macquarie, nor received from the same. The original lease from Paterson, lodged at the Judge Advocates does not bear any evidence of cancellation. The term "House", as used in the Street Plan for Sydney, was commonly used to indicate a public house. By now the public road between Sydney and Parramatta was almost complete and in December 1810, it was announced that Toll Bars would be erected thereon, one at 16 Ref ??? If Only Sydney and one at Parramatta. The business or collecting the charges would be let to the highest bidder at a Public Auction held for that purpose. A variety of prices would be charged for the right of passage along the road.(13) This was the beginning of our modern day Tollway System. Heavily pregnant, with her child due early in the new year, Catherine applied for help with the baking and brewing business. She petitioned the Governor to allow her to employ Richard Westcott, by trade a baker, with the promise that she would support him without the help of Govt Stores.(14) To His Excellency Lachlan Macquarie Esq. Captain General and Governor in and over his Majesty's Territory of New South Wales and it's dependencies, Catherine Clarkson, who arrived free, in this Territory in the ship "Alexander", humbly begs leave to solicit your Excellency to permit her to take off the Store Richard Westcott, by trade a Baker, and now on board the ship "Indian", she having received no indulgences from the Government since her arrival in this Colony Most Respectfully Catherine Clarkson. Hunter Street Sydney December 22nd 1810. About this time also, Thomas was putting his affairs in order. He called in any outstanding "Copper plate Promissory notes" which he pledged to honour up until 24 December "as after that period I will not hold myself responsible for their consolidation."(15) On the 31st December Frederick Meredith of Sydney transferred to Thomas "all that house and oven and bakehouse for six months". He was in debt to Thomas for ?38/10/- and could redeem his property if payment was met before the six months were up.(16) Another transaction negotiated at the same time was that of a house in Hunter Street known as No 4.(17) No 366 31 December 1810. Transfer from Jas. Cleaver of Prospect, settler to Mary Baugham of Sydney, all that messuage and tenement situate in Hunter St. Sydney No 4 (consideration love and affection) This was to pass from Mary to Thomas Clarkson within the next year. The Sydney Gazette of 16 March 1811 warned the inhabitants, through a Public Notice, that illegal vending of beer, wine and spirits would be punished, "with the utmost Severity", and at the same time, issued a list of those persons in Sydney who received licences in February 1811.(18) Of that list, No 24 was Thomas Clarkson of Hunter Street. This would once again have cost Thomas his sureties and tax, but business was brisk in the liquor trade and his prospects of recouping his costs would have been quite favourable. Viewed with much more favour though, by both he and his family, would have been the official granting of his Conditional Pardon on 22 July 1811.(19) He was now a free man living under a Governor prepared to give an honest man a "fair go" to prove his worth, regardless of class. Thomas Clarkson's rise from convicted felon had begun --. - he had achieved the status of.... Emancipist. ------ p21 ------image BUILDING A FUTURE Back in England, the home office was refusing to grant the penal colony an official currency of its own, and since Sterling currency was leaving NSW as quickly as it came in, 17 Ref ??? If Only the old bartering and promissory system was flourishing. Many court affidavits we've consulted referred to its legitimacy as being "according to the usage and custom of Merchants frog time memorial". Along with many other inhabitants of the time, Thomas Clarkson had promissory notes circulating. These were understood to be redeemed or honoured on demand, after a certain date which was usually included on the note. The notes could be passed from hand to hand, even within the stipulated period for payment, as long as they were endorsed with the signature of the parties concerned. These notes were accepted as legal tender and failure to honour the same, when presented, could result in prosecution to recover the amount owed the injured party. In 1810 Thomas had circulating, promissory notes of a Copper Plate nature, which he now requested be presented for payment.(20) The Sydney Gazette of mid 1811(21) reported the theft of a parcel of Colonial Bills from the home of Mrs Sarah Wills, all of which were drawn by Thomas Clarkson and amounted to the sum of ?36. They were described as varying from written bills, payable in colonial currency, to printed notes of various denominations. Sarah Wills was the recently widowed wife of Edward Wills who had operated a very large warehouse at No 96 George St, in partnership with Thomas Reiby. Thomas Reiby had died on the 5 April 1811(22) and then on the 14 May 1811 Edward Wills also passed away.(23) Thomas Reiby's wife, Mary, continued the business with great success. It was into the hands of Sarah Wills that the above mentioned promissory notes found themselves. Failure to honour these notes, (which remind us so much of our current Credit Card System) resulted in prosecution to recover the money owing. Sometimes the drawer was caught without the available means to make good the notes, and, several times in his lifetime, Thomas Clarkson was to find himself in court to answer writs for non-payment of a debt. Conversely, he was also, from time to time, to instigate proceedings against those who did not settle with him. One such case was brought against him by William Mansell, on 22 July 1611, to recover ?26 in promises. Thomas did not appear officially before the court, and Mansell received a judgement in his favour.(24) Thomas immediately appealed against the verdict, and the case went to the Courts of Appeal on 24 August. Thomas claimed Mansell had not approached him to make good his debt and had been taken by surprise to be served a writ instead. He said there existed among merchants, an unwritten law that said a demand for payment preceded any court action. He stated he had in fact been present that day in court, and had informed the Court Members that he had previously advised Mansell, by note, of his intention to pay.(25) Sir. I have not received any good money this 24th. But I have some good money to receive to your purpose. I have not any by me now or I would not give you the trouble I remain yours truly Thomas Clarkson Sydney April 25th. . Thomas further claimed the whole action was aimed at injuring his credit rating as a trader, and that Mansell had gone behind his back in the way he had handled the whole situation. Thomas' appeal was commendable in content but unfortunately the court chose to uphold its former decision.(26) 18 Ref ??? If Only Thomas may well have been right in his statements regarding the way credit could be undermined. A man's honesty and his finances went hand in hand, and much damage could be done to a dealer's reputation by slandering his credit rating. In 1813 Thomas Clarkson had occasion to support a man who claimed his credit was being questioned. Mr E. Kinsela declared, in the Sydney Gazette, that he would award ?5 to anyone who could name the parties, who were circulating scandalous rumours, that he had sold his home and premises at No 8 Clarence St. He then advertised the names of those dealers who would honour his current notes in circulation. Among others was the name of Thomas Clarkson.(27) Honesty was a variable commodity, everyone was out to survive and perhaps make a little on the side but everyone in turn expected the other man not to take advantage of him. It was like this in every aspect of life ... even in the baking of the daily loaf (as we've mentioned before). So much so, that by 1815 bakers were required by law to brand their loaves with their initials so a check could be kept on the weight and quality sold.(28) On 19 October 1813 a Mr James Mannix entered the Baker shop of Thomas Clarkson and bought a loaf of bread (priced that day at 10d) from his daughter, Catherine. He tendered an eighteen penny bill but claimed he was charged 1/-. Thomas was ordered to appear before the Bench Magistrate to answer the charge and being found guilty, he was fined 40/-(29). Curiously the three other bakers charged in a similar manner that day had all had the pleasure of Mr Mannix's custom and all had been found to be overcharging.(30) It would appear that James Mannix was an inspector of sorts, employed to check the prices at random. The beginning of an industry was developing on the agricultural front. Macquarie was encouraging the farmers to grow wheat and other grains and to raise cattle. As an incentive, he accepted tenders to supply grain and beef for the colony's use. This was controlled by the Commissary General and payment was usually made by receipt. Shopkeepers and publicans were among the few who could change these receipts and often this payment was made out in goods, not necessarily the goods required by the settler, but that which the dealer was willing to give him to make up the amount. If the Government Store was full, the publican was the only one with facilities to take his grain and would do so, but at a much lower price. Unfortunately some unscrupulous traders would make tremendous profits from this, and really, the little settler didn't stand a chance. It's small wonder that many small farms found their way into the hands of the traders for a very small outlay. TOWN PURCHASES Being the opportunist that he was, Thomas Clarkson very quickly realized that there was money to be made from a tenant/landlord relationship. With this in mind he turned his energies and available finances towards owning property. It was to become a common pattern for him throughout his life, to buy, borrow and buy some more. On 12 June 1811 he purchased 3 allotments situated quite close to his home. Each cost him ?15 colonial currency. . The first was from Joseph Dunsfield, from whom he acquired "all that messuage and premises in Hunter Street… formerly part of an allotment in the possession o f Joseph Smith," and from John Jones, that same day, he bought two allotments "at the corner of Macquarie St near Hyde Park together with a frame of a house erected".(31) 19 Ref ??? If Only A little more than a fortnight later he added, "all that house and premises situate at the corner of Phillip St opposite the premises now building by the said Clarkson in Phillip St".(32) This purchase, from Joseph Smith cost him ?30 sterling and was dated 29 June 1811. This property may well have been the one later referred to as No 54 and the property listed as being opposite was probably No 13. Evidence taken at a coronial inquiry in August 1811 gives reference to "Mr Clarkson's new building" in Hunter Street,(33) so it would appear Thomas had a number of projects going concurrently. The Sydney Gazette of 24 August 1811 ran the following notice;(34) To be sold by private contract, a good dwelling house No 73 Castlereagh -- If not earlier disposed of, it will be sold by public auction on Monday 2 September -- Apply for viewing and terms to T. Clarkson, Hunter St A month later, on 24 September, Thomas purchased another allotment in Macquarie Street. It measured 40 feet backwards onto Joseph Smith's allotment, was bounded on one side by Andrew Kaine and on the other by Clarkson's land. For the meager sum of ?5 sterling Thomas became the owner of this additional piece of ground adjoining his other two allotments. The transfer was made from Richard Thompson and Mary McCabe in the presence of George Jubb jnr. and Thomas Piersons.(35) This purchase gave Thomas Clarkson three allotments in a row at the Hyde Park end of Macquarie Street. Today they would be located opposite the Mint, on the site of the Supreme Court. The parish map shows St James Church (not then built) bordering the Hyde Park end of the allotments. The Hyde Park barracks, also were not in existence at this time, (they being built in 1817). At the time of the purchase the property fronted the new General Hospital. In 1818 Thomas mortgaged these allotments to D'Arcy Wentworth for ?350 + interest (the highest rate available at the time). By then the "newly erected frame of a house" described in the contract of 1811 had become "a newly erected stone and brick messuage or dwelling house" with "all stables, barns, coach houses, wells, waterways and gardens".(36) The contract cited the allotments as being ... situate at the southern extremity of Macquarie Street... adjoining Hyde Park, measuring 100 feet, the rear facing Phillip Street and measuring 100 - 120 feet on the side facing Hyde Park. A clause in the mortgage stated that all deeds, as soon as they were presented to Clarkson, were to be included in the deal. Particular reference was given here to the deed of grant which Wentworth went to great pains to make sure was included in the contract.(37) Obviously, the land was only under lease and a grant was supposedly forthcoming. Later events were to show that Thomas never took possession of the deeds, as on 31 December 1819 a grant was issued to D'Arcy Wentworth for the sixty-four and three quarter perches.(38) As 1811 drew to a close Thomas Clarkson and family had spent five years in . the colony and with the coming of the new year they were looking forward to the arrival of another colonial born child. On 15 March 1812 they announced the arrival or little Mountford Clarkson.(39) Perhaps he was named from both nostalgia for lost Warwickshire days and family tradition. Whichever it was, the name was to become quite frequently used in the following generations. "Mountford" is synonymous with countries around Warwickshire, deriving 20 Ref ??? If Only from the 13th Century crusader Simon de Montfort, and perhaps it was after this hero that little Mountford (there are various spellings) born in a new land, of ex-Warwickshire parents, was named. He was their second child of that name. Thomas and Catherine had buried their first tiny Mountford in 1802 in Kingsbury, England.(40) This second Mountford was hale and hearty and throughout his life was very close to his family. Later, sources were to reveal that he was the Godson of the family's close neighbours and intimate friends, Mr and Mrs Richard Harding.(41) Richard Harding was a blacksmith, who in 1806 had purchased a house and garden from Charles Evans in Back Row East (Phillip St).(42) The families became very close and when Mountford was born the Hardings were chosen to be his Godparents. In 1813 the Hardings purchased a home in Hunter Street from Thomas Parsonage,(43) and Richard Harding placed two young boys, William Holloway(44) and John Small(45) to his trade as apprentices. In November of the year that Mountford was born, it was claimed, Richard Harding bought the land at the back of Clarkson's property, from William Smith.(46) Sometime in 1813 the Hardings decided to return to Europe and as a parting gift and out of remembrance of them, they gave the land to their Godson, Mountford. The fact that Harding was Godfather to Mountford was attested to by various people, but evidence of the transfer of the land was to be disputed in later years.(47) The transfer of a house and land in Hunter Street from Mark Millington on 1 September 1812, cost him ?45 and added another link to Thomas' growing chain of local properties. Perhaps this was Millington's relocated house.(48) On 2 November 1812 Thomas Legg transferred to Thomas Clarkson for ?12 "an allotment of ground situate on the North End of Mr Lewin's premises on the Brickfields Hill".(49) Thomas' estate was increasing. As the colony expanded, the need for more roads was obvious. Financed by public subscription and constructed by the military, a road now stretched from Sydney to the South Head. In the Public Notices column of the Sydney Gazette of 27 March 1813 was a list of those persons who had donated money to the construction of the carriageway and urged others who might desire to do so, to add their names to the list being held at the Office of Mr Robert Campbell in Hunter Street. The name of Thomas Clarkson was already among others on the list and his donation of ?1/1/- was acknowledged (This was a popular amount offered by many).(50) The frequent traffic of carts and wagons, heavily laden with firewood and lime was cutting up the newly laid roads and since the volume of traffic was increasing rapidly (due to the fact that there was a Turnpike on the Parramatta Road and the use of the same necessitated the payment of fees) the collecting of commodities to sell in Sydney was increasing along this roadway. So, Macquarie quickly remedied this by erecting, at the Governor's expense, a Toll Gate, "on the boundry at the South East extremity of Hyde Park". And he limited the payment only to laden carts in the hope that those causing . the damage would finance the repairs.(51) VANDALISM On the night of 16 March 1813, a little after 9PM Thomas Clarkson was alerted, by two young boys, to the fact, that three men passing by, had knocked the ball from one of the pillars at the front of his house. On running outside, he saw the offenders run away as far as the corner of Hunter and Castlereagh Streets where they stopped at the paling fence 21 Ref ??? If Only of William Robert's House. Tearing two palings off the fence, they quickly ran up Castlereagh Street. Thomas pursued them, calling for them to stop. The District Constable managed to arrest one and locked him up in the Watch House of District No 4 at the corner of King and Pitt Streets. (52) A little after 10PM, Thomas was standing at the front gate of his house in Hunter Street when he saw the Master of the "Samarang", (a ship recently arrived in port), accompanied by two other men. They passed him by and went to the house of Hester Stubbs in Phillip Street. A short time later, Hester, herself, went by, as far as William Robert's, for some liquor. Not long after, the three men, armed with bludgeons went down Hunter Street. Thomas called out to one of them, informing him of his intention to name and report him for his behavior, then he retired for the night. Just after midnight, there was a noise at the front of the house, and, on coming down the stairs, Thomas saw three, maybe more persons, knock two more balls off the pillars and then run up Elizabeth Street. As a result the Captain and several Officers of the "Samarang" were charged with a number of offences relating to the incidents of that night.(53) During the hearing of evidence, Thomas Clarkson was referred to as being "a peaceable and industrious inhabitant",(54) Be this as it may, he was also not afraid to face aggressors nor allow the defacing of his property without a fight. It is interesting to note the participation of Hester Stubbs in this drama. Later events were to show that she and Thomas Clarkson feuded for many years over a piece of land adjoining both their properties and originally owned by Mrs Stubbs (or Mother Stubbs as she was referred to).(55) According to the lady herself, "in 1797 Governor Hunter authorised her, then named Esther Spencer, to occupy an allotment or ground in Phillip Street".(56) (At that time Elizabeth Street did not exist and the land extended back to a dividing line between the allotments in Phillip Street and Castlereagh Street). She enclosed the whole lot with a fence and erected a dwelling house. On the formation of Elizabeth Street she was forced to relinquish part of her land to accommodate the new road. Irksome to be sure, but worse was to follow. While she was absent, Stubbs, the government servant with whom she lived, entertained William Smith. During a bout of drinking and carousing, Stubbs sold the back portion of Hester's allotment to Smith. Then she claimed, Smith immediately gave it to Clarkson. Thomas took possession and pulled down the fence and erected his own.(57) Hester Stubbs maintained that as she never married Stubbs he had no right to sell her land, so the sale should be null and void.(58) An agreement, dated 2 September 1811, was registered at the Judge Advocate's Office and was stated to be between Esther Spencer and William Smith. It said that for the sum of ?8 --- the said Spencer doth covenant and agree to sell unto the said Smith,, one half of the garden ground on which her dwelling now stands. It was signed simply "by the Parties' and bore the witness of Joseph . Nettleton.(59) Whether Hester Stubbs actually was a party to this sale or not is uncertain but the issue became constantly disputed between she and Clarkson and perhaps she felt sweet revenge that night when she supported the men of the "Samarang" in their vandalism of Thomas' house. 22 Ref ??? If Only In spite of all Hester's protests the land was to remain part of the Clarkson's property. The next day Thomas had recovered sufficiently from this drama to negotiate the conveyance of an allotment of ground from William Reynolds. This was situate at the rear of Reynolds' property in Phillip Street, fronting Elizabeth Street. It was to cost Thomas ?9.(60) City Section Map No 40 shows this land as allotment No 10, containing nineteen and a half perches, backing onto William Reynold's premises of allotment 14.(61) It was not long before Thomas was forced to mortgage some of his premises and in the light of the speed with which he had acquired them, and the quantity of his purchases, this was not surprising. Coupled with the expenses he must have been facing with regards his building, his available cash would have been depleted fairly quickly --- if indeed he was using cash, for it is not unlikely that some may have been "promissory" purchases. On 15 December 1813, in order to secure the tenure of ?300 sterling Thomas mortgaged his properties at No 4 Hunter Street, No 13 Phillip Street and one other in Phillip Street. Rowland Walpole Loane took the mortgage and advanced Thomas the money.(62) Only three days later Thomas advised that No 13 Phillip Street was available for rent. His notice in the Sydney Gazette of 18 December read .... (63) To be let and entered upon on the first day of January next, a commodious dwelling house. pleasant1v situated No 13 Phillip Street, Hunter Street, Sydney, well adapted for the residence of a genteel family -- For further particulars enquire of Thomas Clarkson, at the sign of the Woodman, Hunter Street. The "Woodman" was the name of Thomas' Inn. By July 1814 the debt was obviously still outstanding and Mr Loane resorted to action in the Court of Civil Jurisdiction from which he received an order to recoup his losses. William Gore, the Provost Marshall, advertised his intention to put the above premises up for sale by Public Auction unless the costs were previously liquidated.(64) Liquidated, they must have been as later in 1820 these same properties were being mortgaged by Thomas so were obviously still in his possession.(65) On the same page of the Gazette as the above notice was a list of properties put up for sale by Mr Bevan, (a well known auctioneer), and included in these was a property that was to become part of Thomas Clarkson's estate in later years. When Thomas actually made it his is unknown. It was No 12 Phillip Street and was described as follows:(66) A valuable, brick dwelling house, No 12 Phillip St… being the corner of Hunter and Phillip Street being many years established in the baking business; has an oven capable of baking 8 bushells, 2 wells constantly supplied with water and every convenience. No owner's name was tendered. The remaining corner of Hunter and Phillip Street, No 53 became the property of Thomas Clarkson on 16 February 1814.(67) It belonged to Thomas Legg who sold it to Thomas Parsonage on 11 November 1813 for ?105/-/- subject to his allowing Legg to rent the premises for six months.(68) For that same amount Thomas Parsonage sold the property to Clarkson -- "Legg ratifying the same". The transfer was witnessed by . John Cureton.(69) At this time it was described as a house and premises, but by the time it was mortgaged to Cooper and Levy (financiers of the day) in 1820, it had become "that capital brick built dwelling house a built by the said Thomas Clarkson". It appears he may have made vast improvements on it.(70) 23 Ref ??? If Only As well as being let to Thomas Legg, it was occupied by William Baker (convict) who left Sydney in 1817 to become the schoolmaster at Lane Cove. 71) In 1817 it was in the hands of Isaac Wood. another schoolteacher,(72) and by 1822 it was still listed in Thomas' possession.(73) THOMAS CLARKSON --- BUILDER We are reminded on many occasions, of the fact that Thomas Clarkson was a builder of, as well as a purchaser of, premises. References to his "new house", descriptions of his building commitments, houses said to be "lately built by Thomas Clarkson" and many others, consolidate his capabilities in this field, so it comes as no surprise to find him contracting to finish off homes for others. One very interesting contract actually gives a description of the work to be done. This was a contract between Thomas and Caleb Wilson to finish the house in Market Street that Wilson had purchased from Mary Gotham on 16 June 1814.(74) Contract for finishing a house in Market Street belonging to Caleb Wilson -- to be finished by Thomas Clarkson in manner following vis -- to be bricknogged -- plastered and whitewashed, weatherboarded and roundboarded. Floor, chair backing and skirting boards, stone hearth and fire place boarded round, Front door to be paneled -- the other doors and window shutters to be ???, the windows to be lined and front windows glazed and one room lofted -- the whole to he completed in three weeks in a workman like manner for thirty pounds colonial currency - each window to have 12 squares of glass 8 tenths in size with proper fastenings to the doors and windows. signed Thomas Clarkson . On the 21 September 1814 Andrew Kaine of Sydney transferred a piece of ground in Macquarie Street bounded on the north by Brady and on the south by Mould, to Catherine Clarkson Junior, for the sum of ?17 sterling.(75) On 28 September 1814 Mary Lewis sold her house and premises at No 46 George Street to Thomas Clarkson. This property cost him ?120 sterling and was apparently considered a valuable acquisition considering the price and the fact that it remained part of Thomas' estate until after his death. Both these sales were witnessed by George Jubb.(76) The George Street property was on the Brickfields Hill near the Old Burial Ground. Today, this is in the vicinity of the Town Hall. ------ p32 ------image RURAL INTERESTS From 1 April 1812, Thomas was looking towards the farming areas of the colony. There was money to be made in letting small farms and with the purchase of 30 acres at Mulgrave Place Thomas became a rural landlord. This farm cost him ?100 and was part of a 70 acre property originally granted to Henry Lamb by Governor King and was known as "Lamb's Farm".(1) The remaining 40 acres of Lamb's Farm had been conveyed to one John Jones sometime previous to this. The very next day Thomas acquired, from Jones, these same 40 acres. The total outlay here was ?200/10/-, quite a substantial sum of money.(2) In December 1817, Thomas gave James Fitzpatrick, formally, the lease of the . 40 acre portion of Lamb's Farm which he was already occupying at that time. This was for a term of 7 years and since the date of commencing the term was left blank, we wonder if perhaps James had been tending the land there for some time previous to the contract being drawn up. This time Hugh Crabtree was the witness.(3) Despite the problems suffered by the Hawkesbury during times of flood, it was by far the best wheat producing area in Sydney at that time. 24 Ref ??? If Only On 31 August 1813 Hugh Crabtree of that district, mortgaged his crops of wheat and maize growing on a farm which he rented from Ann Whalen, together with his horse, cart and harness to Thomas Clarkson for the sum of ?200. He had until 1 January 1814 to settle the debt or the goods would go to auction. He rented back his horse, cart and harness for 10/- sterling per week for five months. The mortgage included 12 acres of wheat and 8 acres of maize.(4) A memorandum of agreement dated 3 September 1813 shows the intention of Hugh Kelly of Sydney to supply and deliver to Thomas Clarkson's house in Sydney, 80 bushells of wheat for the sum of 20/- per bushell, "for the true performance of which each finds himself to the other in the sum of ?10/-/-".(5) The price Thomas paid for the wheat indicates a fairly true assignment and not just a cheap purchase, as wheat, as of October 1813, was 20/10d per bushell. Other goods ere selling at the following prices;(6) Maize 13/- per bushell Potatoes 19/6 per cwt Fowls 7/- a pair Eggs 2/6 per dozen Thomas's bakery would have need of wheat supplies and this assignment indicates he had facilities to store at least 80 bushells at one given time. Thomas acquired half a farm situate in the district of Wilberforce which had been originally granted to Charles Watson by Governor Hunter. It was known as Watson's Farm and on 21 January 1814 Thomas transferred these thirty seven and a half acres to George Hall of Pitt Town. This deal was witnessed by George Jubb and Henry Fleming.(7) Two years earlier the same Mr Fleming had had an unfortunate experience while travelling at night along Parramatta Road. He'd had "stolen from his person" a silver watch and a glazed waterproof hat and was relieved of a chest of green tea recently purchased in Sydney. The incident was reported in the Sydney Gazette of 17 October 1812 along with an offer of ?10, put up by Thomas Clarkson of Hunter Street and Mr George Hall settler of the Hawkesbury, for information leading to the arrest of the guilty party.(8) It appears that Mr Hall and Mr Fleming were old friends of Mr Clarkson. Owen Tierney of Richmond Hill sold divers allotments of land and amounts of crops to Thomas Clarkson for ?625 sterling on 17 February 1814.(9) Only the previous day he had leased a farm of 26 acres and an allotment of land in the town of Richmond, to Thomas, for 5/- sterling, for Thomas's tenure for one year.(10) As the records available for this transaction are very brief, it is hard to know whether Thomas was intending to buy him out or if Tierney owed him money and Thomas was assuming possession as a result of this. An indent dated 8 July 1814 between Thomas and Hugh Crabtree is not so hard to understand. For ?75, Crabtree sold his right and title to 30 acres of land called "Wheeler's Farm" situate at Catye Creek, (sic) Pitt Town, on the Hawkesbury to Clarkson.(11) It would seem that Crabtree remained on the farm, perhaps in the role of tenant. This note inserted in the Sydney Gazette 1 April 1815,(12) serves to illustrate the popularity of the promissory method of payment in the colony at the time. Lost at Wheeler's Farm near Catye Creek, Pitt Town, a seal skin pouch . containing a note of hand drawn by Thomas Clarkson, to bearer, on demand for ?25 currency; an order payable to Sam. Meredin, on demand, drawn by Thomas Clarkson, dated 25 September 1814 for ?4/7/3. Another note was dated 25 December for ?4/1/10 1/2 and another dated 12 February 1815 for ?2, together with other notes drawn by Wm. Beans, G. Blaxell and G. Crossley. Anyone who could return these notes to the owner Sam. Meredin was offered a 25 Ref ??? If Only reward of ?10. The notes were stopped with the drawers and would be of no use to anyone else. A muster of the inhabitants of the colony was tabled in 1814 and the Clarkson family was logged as follows:(13) Thomas Clarkson Alexander 2, free, publican off stores. Catherine . Alexander 2, free, 5 children, off stores, wife of Thomas Clarkson. Richard, Alexander 2, T of L Tinman_ The only other Clarkson listed was; James, Admiral Gambier, Ticket of Leave, Baker. James Clarkson, was convicted in London in 1807 and in 1828 was free and was working for G. Saunters as a baker in Argyle Street. James was living with Ann Eaton who arrived on the "Canada", A marriage was impossible as James had a wife and family back home in England.(14) On 20 March 1815, at Sydney, a baby girl was born to Thomas and Catherine. They named her Ann, and a year later she was baptised at St Phillips Church, Sydney. (15) A week and a half later on 1 April, Thomas' licence for the keeping of a public house and selling of spirits, wines or beer was renewed. The list published in the Sydney Gazette contained the licencees for the current year and Thomas' name was among them. The names of some of his associates were also included, all involved in a common trade ---- William Roberts, Andrew Frazer, John Lawrie, Jane Muckle, Thomas Boulton, Charles Pickering, and at Windsor: Charles Beasley. They were all made aware of the conditions of their licences by the following:(16) Publicans are reminded of the penalties attached to the keeping of irregular or disorderly houses and that no House of entertainment is to be kept open after the hour of 9 at night, nor is anyone to be suffered to remain in them, drinking after that hour, otherwise Publicans will be considered as keeping irregular and disorderly houses and Will not only be deprived of their licences but dealt with in other respects according to the law. By Command of His Excellency The Governor. On 22 August 1815 Thomas Clarkson brought suit against Richard Barnes, a settler at Windsor, to recover a debt of ?46/10/- sterling owing to him. Judgement was handed down in favour of Thomas and under a writ of Fiere Facias the sheriff was ordered to put Barnes' possessions up for auction. This was carried out on 7 October 1815 at Thompson's Square, Windsor.(17) Barnes was in possession of a farm consisting of 15 acres, situate in the district of Wilberforce. It was described as "half a moiety" of a farm and was being rented by Barnes (in right of his wife Mary Barnes) for 7 years at ?25 per year for the term of his wife's life. The farm was known as Whitton's Farm.(18) William Gore, the Provost Marshall, offered the property up for bid and from among several participants, the successful bidder was Thomas Clarkson who purchased the farm for ?42 sterling. The farm carried a proviso that the assignment of tenure was . only good, for and during, the natural life of Mary Barnes, a proviso pertinent to Barnes also, while the farm had been in his hands. The very next day Thomas installed George Louther of Wilberforce as tenant on Whitton's Farm "yielding and paying the yearly rent a ?25" for seven years "provided the life of the said Mary Barnes continued". Executed in the presence of William Fleming and Thos. Prosser.(19) 26 Ref ??? If Only In 1821 this life interest in Whitton's Farm was still in Thomas Clarkson's possession. On 1 April 1815 the news reached the colony of the death of Vice Admiral ARTHUR PHILLIP who had died at Bath, Eng, 31 August 1814, he was aged 77 years. To quote the Sydney Gazette that carried the announcement that day in April:(20) To this gentleman, the colony of NSW owes its original establishment in 1788: and in taking a retrospect of the arduous duties of such an undertaking, the many difficulties he had to struggle with, and the perils to which he was exposed, it will only be rendering a just tribute to his memory to remark that Governor Phillip manifested during the period of his administration much fortitude, zeal and integrity; and that to the wisdom of his early regulations and indefatigable exertions, the flourishing state of the settlement bears most honorable and able testimony Thus did the colony of NSW, now in its 27th year pay tribute to its founder on his passing. ------ p37 ------image LANDHOLDER BUNBURRY CURRAN. C.1815 - 1822. A Government notice issued by the Secretary's Office and published in the Sydney Gazette of 25 May 1816 announced the completion of a new line of road leading from Sydney and Parramatta to Liverpool. A toll gate had been erected at Moore's Bridge and a list of rates considered to be "reasonable and moderate" was tabled and would take effect from 1 June.(21) An accompanying notice from John Oxley, the surveyor, informed the inhabitants of the colony that he and his deputy would be in the town of Liverpool on Monday 27 May at 8AM for the purpose of locating and measuring allotments of land already promised in the districts of Minto, Airds, Appin and Bankstown.(22) These areas were thriving and many settlers were already in occupation of the lands they'd applied to have granted to them. The Surveyor's job was so immense that the wheels of officialdom couldn't keep pace with the rapidly expanding districts and so, many grants were issued quite some time after they had been occupied. The concept of the grants was to provide land which would be utilised and worked so that the settler's, particularly the small holders would have means to support themselves and their families. To these ends Macquarie initiated conditions governing the grants, in order to stop profiteering by some owners who sold their grants almost immediately. These conditions were that they couldn't sell or alienate the property for 5 years and that a proportion of the acreage must be cultivated within that same period. After this the grantee paid a quit rent of usually 5/-. During the 5 year rent free period, if these conditions were not met, then the land reverted to the Crown. This was known as the 5 year Alienation Act. In essence this was understood but the conditions were extremely hard to enforce and much exchange of land took place over a short period of time. Ultimately the small holdings often passed into the hands of a large landholder. . So it was that most of the settlers awaiting Oxley's visit were only wanting his confirmation and measuring of their properties, as they were firmly established on their proposed grants. Prior to this visit and in order to expand the original 100 acres for which he was anticipating a grant, Thomas Clarkson appears to have made agreements to lease and then to buy various portions of land adjoining his allocated property. 27 Ref ??? If Only A) On 17 November 1815, Thomas negotiated successfully with William Wilson to lease "a certain allotment of farm land containing 200 acres which allotment is situate at Bunburry Curran in the district of Airds, adjoining a farm now in the occupancy of the said Thomas Clarkson", for 5 years commencing from the date of the granting of the land.(23) On the same date another indenture was made out to transfer the land into the possession or Thomas Clarkson. Both transactions were witnessed by William Fleming. (24) The official grant of this land was made to William Wilson on 8 October 1816, some ii months after the sale of the property.(25) ------ p39 ------image ------ p40 ------ B) On 1 June 1816, John Johnson agreed to rent or lease his forty acres of land, bounded on the East by Clarkson's farm, to Thomas Clarkson for 5 years.(26) On the same day Johnson "being minded and disposed to sell the same (farm) to the said Thomas Clarkson after the expiration of a lease granted to him for five years" transferred the forty acres to Thomas for 5/ sterling.(27) This deal was completed before the grant of Johnson's land was officially registered on 20 June 1816,(28) but would have been made after Oxley's survey of the property. So the conditions of the grant were adhered to by leasing the land for the mandatory five years and at the same time selling the grant from the point of time where the lease expired. Thomas became the owner, and once again William Fleming, the witness. Curiously, although Thomas was recognized as the purchaser of both the above properties the documents of lease and transfer were never registered, even though Thomas was in possession of the deeds of the grant.(29) C) Thomas' next purchase however, WAS registered, and that was the land granted to Samuel Pullen. It was also an adjoining property containing forty acres and being on the west of Clarkson's farm. This farm was to cost Thomas ?35 sterling.(30) This grant bore the date 20 June 1816 and was transferred in a similar way to Johnson's forty acres, i.e.; by a five year lease and an automatic ownership thereafter. Although negotiated on 14 August 1816, the transaction wasn't registered until 8 August 1818, when Thomas acknowledged receipt of the deeds. Attached to these documents we found the original promissory notes which Thomas had made out to Samuel Pullen to cover the purchase of the land. All dated 14 August, they are for various sums of money and on the backs of some are records of how the amounts were redeemed. e.g.;(31) Sydney, Aug 14 1816 seven months after the date I promise to pay to Sam Pullen or bearer two pounds ten shillings currency for Value Rec d by me Thomas Clarkson The reverse shows the following; Aug 16 1816 received rum 5 0 . 1 loaf 11 ------ p41 ------image glass 7 1/2 tea 7 1/2 sugar 9 1 4 1/2 rum 5 7 28 Ref ??? If Only butter 2 8 same 2 6 18 8 1/2 10 0 1/2 -------- 1 9 9 Every note was cancelled so we can safely assume all was redeemed. There were other grants adjoining Thomas' land which were not acquired by him. These belonged to Francis Cox, John Lee and Owen Lenegan. Whether Thomas attempted to buy these at any time is uncertain. Another successful negotiation was with Thomas Prentice who occupied a portion of land which narrowly adjoined Clarkson's property of 100 acres. On the 17 September 1816 Prentice leased and transferred his 50 acres to Thomas Clarkson. This transaction was witnessed by William Fleming and was registered at the Judge Advocate's Office on 17 July 1817.(32) An agreement to sell the land must have been made some time previously to this, as in a later document Thomas was to refer to comments passed between Prentice and the surveyor who was measuring up the land, stating that Prentice had remarked that the surveyor was to consider the land as Clarkson's property. --- Quite a bold remark to a Government Individual from one who was about to become bound by a condition not to alienate his land for 5 years. This would have been around the date of 27 May. Adjoining both the properties of Clarkson and Prentice was 50 acres owned by Mark Millington. This portion was acquired by Thomas the very next day after the grant had been formally granted, on 9 October 1816, in the same manner as the others, by lease and then ownership. Thomas paid ?25 sterling to Millington for the 50 acres and this was sinned, sealed and delivered in the presence of George Jubb.(33) The 8 October 1816 was to mark the granting of Thomas' own grant at Bunburry Curran, Airds. (34) I do by these presents give and grant unto Thomas Clarkson, his heirs, and assigns, to have and to hold forever one hundred acres of land lying and situate in the district of Airds --- bounded on the North side by a line of thirty seven chains, commencing at Lenegan's North North West corner, On the West side by a South line twenty eight chains. On the South side by an East line twenty seven chains to Pullen's farm, and on the West side by that and Lenegan's ------ p43 ------image farm --- To be had, held by Him the said Thomas Clarkson, his heirs and assigns, free from taxes, quit rents and other acknowledgements for the space of five years from the date hereof provided always, and it is hereby expressly to be understood, that the said Thomas Clarkson, the grantee in the presents named shall in no wise either directly or indirectly sell, alienate or transfer any part or parcel of the land hereby granted within the said term of five years. And also provided always that the said Thomas Clarkson shall clear and cultivate or cause to be cleared and cultivated within the said term of five years the quantity of twenty acres of the . said land hereby granted, Otherwise the whole of the said land shall revert to the Crown and the grant hereby and thereof shall be deemed null and void. The Government reserved the right to make Public roads where ever necessary and was at liberty to claim any timber growing on Thomas' land which might be deemed fit for use for Naval Purposes. After the term of 5 years he would be expected to pay a quit rent of 2/- annually. 29 Ref ??? If Only In anticipation of a formal grant to the land of George Berry, Thomas contracted to buy those 34 acres. These 34 acres adjoined William Wilson's 200 acres which were already in Thomas' possession. They became part of the Clarkson estate on 26 October 1816.(35) Thomas was to find the grant did not eventuate until 13 January 1818.(36) That did not deter occupation though. On 28 November 1816 Henry Cole leased, conveyed and simultaneously transferred his 200 acres to Thomas Clarkson for the sum of ?100, making Thomas the leasee for 5 years and then after that period, the automatic owner.(37) Similarly, on 20 December 1816, Thomas negotiated the lease and transfer of the 80 acres adjoining Henry Cole's 200 acres (see map) and these 80 acres were leased and transferred to Thomas by the owner. Esther Spencer.(38) By the time the grant was officially given on 13 January 1818, Esther Spencer had become Hester Stubbs.(39) She was later to become Esther Bigg and was resident in Phillip street.(40) One land holding which was to cause Thomas Clarkson considerable anguish at a later date was the 50 acres he'd acquired from Thomas Prentice on 17 September 1816.(41) On 22 August 1822 Thomas Clarkson addressed a letter to the they Governor, Sir Thomas Brisbane, complaining that Thomas Prentice had "dishonestly and fraudulently" disposed of the 50 acres which, in 1816 he had sold to Clarkson, to another party, namely Joseph Ward. (44) ------ p45 ------image He claimed that Prentice had given him a "Power of Attorney" to take the grant out of the Secretary's Office but that Prentice himself had collected the grant and in 1819 had sold the land to the above mentioned Ward, who, by the way, just happened to also be the Constable in the District of Airds and who was fully aware of the former sale to Clarkson. Thomas claimed he had purchased the land 6 years previously (making it 1816, which was perfectly true) and that the only reason for the purchase was the close proximity of the land to his "capital substantial dwelling house" and office built on an enlarged and extensive scale, costing in excess of ?1500.(43) (We believe this house to be the present day Eschol Park House at Campbelltown). The outcome of this dispute between Clarkson and Ward was not evident until documents lodged at a later date showed that Ward emerged the winner from an eviction battle dated 22 August 1822.(44) By the end of 1816 Thomas' holdings at Bunburry Curran were well and truly functioning. As Thomas himself still resided at Sydney with his family, he installed his friend and son in law, Thomas Rowley in his new house and would have been hopeful of seeing his substantial expenditure there, recouped before too long. It is also possible that he'd hoped to establish a reasonably large and prestigious estate through all his efforts. Thomas' herds of horned cattle had increased so that by May 1816, they were large enough to tender to the Government stores for the supply of fresh meat to the inhabitants. A tender of 2000 lbs was accepted(45) and he was soon advised of the point of delivery (which was usually the premises of a shopkeeper.) We have assumed that the meat came from the Bunburry Curran farms and not the Hawkesbury as a notice published in the . Sydney Gazette on 17 August 1816 informs us that he had a herd running in the Airds district.(46) Strayed into the herd Of Mr T. Clarkson at Bunburry Curran some time ago, a large black buffalo bull with no marks and a young brindle bull about 2 years old with white face and legs. The owner may have them on paying the necessary expenses 30 Ref ??? If Only Thomas continued to tender to the stores in 1817 for the same 2000 lbs(47) and then in 1818 increased the supply to 3000(48) and then doubled this again in 1820 to 6000.(49) A tender for 100 bushells of wheat in 1821(50) was accepted and in 1823 he undertook to supply 1000 lbs of salted pork.(51) ------ p47 ------image The surveyor made another visit to the Airds district in 1818 to allocate and mark out land allotments. As before, Thomas was in possession of leases of land about to be granted. Direct access between these portions was made possible through the grant of George Berry, obtained in 1816.(52) This 34 acres bounded Wilson's 200 acres, already owned by Clarkson, and led onto the 60 acres granted to William Guise on 13 January 1818 and purchased by Clarkson for ?60 on 14 October 1818.(53) Grants given to Hester Stubbs (formerly Esther Spencer) for 80 acres, Henry Cole for 200 acres, John Yates for 80 acres, John Cureton for 50 acres and Thomas Clarkson for 50 acres all bore the same date of 13 January 1818, All of these became part of the Clarkson Estate,---Cole's already in his possession since 22 November 1816, Hester Stubbs since 20 December 1$16 and now Clarkson added Cureton's 50 acres on the 15 August 1818,(54) "The said John Cureton was desirous of selling" his 50 acres to Thomas Clarkson "after the expiration of a lease granted to him for five years". Reciting that the said John Cureton was seized and possessed of a grant and reciting that the said John Cureton was desirous of selling the same to the said Thomas Clarkson after the expiration of a lease granted to him for five years, it is witnessed that the said John Cureton in consideration of the sum of 5/- …. John Cureton sold the 50 acres to Thomas.(55) On 23 September of this same year, Margaret, widow of John Irish Yates, conveyed the grant she had accepted on her husband's behalf, to Thomas Clarkson. This grant contained 80 acres and was next to those 50 acres of Thomas Prentice. John Irish Yates was the son of Edward and Catherine Yates and had been born at Std Bototh's Aldersgate St, London on 27 October 1772. His father was a playing card maker and stationer. Yates did not live long enough in NSW to see the granting of his land.(56) Thomas continued to negotiate for land in the Airds region and on 13 March 1819 Edward Shakely of Sydney leased his "recently granted 200 acres of land at Bunburry Curran" to Thomas.(57) This was definitely in anticipation of a grant, as it didn't become official until 1823.(58) Edward Shakely had arrived free into the colony in 1818 on board the "Ocean".(59) It is apparent that he must have made his way to the Liverpool district quite soon after this. His allotment of land was leased on a five year term from the date of the original grant but Thomas Clarkson occupied the land from the date of the lease, i.e.: March 1819. By the time the grant was finally issued the land had become part of a mortgage from Thomas Clarkson to Daniel Cooper.(60) So Shakely took possession of the grant and conveyed it to Cooper. By the 1828 census Shakely was listed as a gardener working far Thomas Rowley, Rowley at this time was a tenant on a property at Holdsworthy.(61) ------ p49 ------ . Part of the land that Thomas Rowley was to possess in his lifetime also became part of the Clarkson Estate. Rowley held 60 acres of land in Airds, bounded by Barrett's Goldsmiths and Beddow's farm, near Bow Bowing Creek and he conveyed it to Thomas Clarkson under the same conditions as Shakely's negotiation.(62) Once again a grant was not issued for this allotment until 1823 and the land passed to Cooper in a similar manner.(63) 31 Ref ??? If Only All of this land that Thomas had acquired at Airds, was to pass to Daniel Cooper in 1822(64) and in 1828 on to Jemima Jenkins.(65) Subsequent owners were to divide it up into diverse portions. One such portion became what is today known as the "Eschol Park Estate", a name given to the property as far back as 1876. ------ p49 ------image ESCHOL PARK The name itself has biblical origins, the promised land of Eschol -- a place of vineyards. On 9 & 10 August 1822, by way of a direct sale, Thomas Clarkson sold to Daniel Cooper, all his Bunburry Curran lands for the sum of ?1,500. The document states that; Catherine Clarkson hath agreed to join in the conveyance of the same premises and to release the same from all right and title to Dower ….with the privity and approbation of the said Catherine Clarkson (his wife) testified by her being a party to and sealing and delivering of these presents.(66) Later Catherine would vehemently deny being a party to this or any other negotiation and would charge that Daniel Cooper, fraudulently duped Thomas into signing the document, whilst the latter was in a state of intoxication.(67). In 1828, Cooper sold the land in two parts to Jemima Matchim Jenkins -- one, a portion of 984 acres for ?2,500 and the other a portion of 395 acres for ?750.(68) Jemima, whose maiden name was Pitt could claim to be a cousin of Lord Nelson. She married Austin Forrest, Esquire, of Richmond Hill and after his death she became Mrs Robert Jenkins at a ceremony at St Johns Church, Parramatta on 22 March 1813.(69) Robert Jenkins was a Sydney merchant who later became a member of the board of the newly formed Bank of NSW.(70) Their son Robert Pitt Jenkins was born in Sydney on Australia Day 1814.(71) Robert Jenkins Snr, died in September 1822 and Jemima carried on the affairs of the family and managed the vast properties she acquired in her own right until her death in 1842.(72) The property she purchased from Cooper became her home almost immediately. Jemima signed the contract of sale on 26 June and by August, the Sydney Gazette advised that she had retired to her country estate "namely Eagle Vale, at Campbelltown." Her former residence in O'Connell Street being taken up by Dr Gibson. (Jemima also had land in the Kiama or Five islands area.)(73) In 1887 the property at Eagle Vale, now known as Eschol Park, was brought under the Real Property Act and it is here that we find the successive owners.(74) It included the original grants of; Samuel Pullen (or Pulling) 50 acres Sarah Byrne Part of - which constituted an access road Samuel Pugh Ditto Owen Lenegan 30 acres John Johnson 40 acres . William Wilson Part of his 200 acres Mark Millington 50 acres Thomas Clarkson 100 acres John Lee Part of 40 acres Francis Cox Part of 50 acres Samuel Croft (Craft) 35 acres 32 Ref ??? If Only Thomas Prentice 50 acres John Yates 80 acres George Berry Part of 35 acres Jemima Jenkins is believed to have died in her house in Eagle Vale in 1842.(75) She apparently left no Will. (A notation on the papers pertaining to the estate indicate a search for her Will was carried out but none was located.)(76) It would then appear that trustees were appointed to administer the estate, namely John Hubert Plunkett and William Warren Jenkins, and the power of selling or letting the estate was theirs. All proceeds were to be invested and the property held in trust for Robert Pitt Jenkins, Jemima's son, Subsequently John Jenkins brought 500 acres from the trustees for ?1,000 and Robert Pitt Jenkins became the owner of the residue, which he purchased for ?2,000. Robert later married Maria Louisa Adelaide Plunkett.(77) In 1858 Jenkins sold the property to William Fowler, a long time resident of Campbelltown, for ?2,500.(78) William and his wife Elizabeth (formerly Warby) had been married at Saint Peter's Church, Campbelltown on 31 March 1840.(79) They established a vineyard on the land and added a stone and brick winery, which was built into the hillside on the south side of the house, and they formed a lower reservoir and dam to supply much needed water to the vines. (From the Parish map of the area it would seem that a reservoir was also located on Thomas Clarkson's grant --- 109). It was the Fowlers who gave the property the name Eschol Park. William Fowler made a declaration when negotiating the sale of the land on 16 October 1876 to the effect that…(80) I have been in undisturbed possession of the Eagle Vale Estate containing six hundred and eight acres, or thereabouts (Which said estate is now called Eschol Park Estate) for the past eighteen years or thereabouts. ------ p52 ------image ------ p53 ------image Fowler was a successful producer of wine, the quality of which earned him a Gold Medal at the Parish Exhibition in 1878.(81) In 1859 Fowler bought a little over 2 roods of the land originally granted to Samuel Pugh from William Croft to form a roadway. (Pugh's grant had formerly been sold to William's father Samuel Croft).(82) The property next passed to Spencer Samuel Milgate, a hay and corn dealer of Newtown. On 20 October 1876 Milgate paid ?7,000 to William Fowler for the estate.(83) Two years later, Milgate sold it to John Tangelder Gorus, a photographer, for ?6,400.(84) In 1885 Gorus offered the land up for sale and could boast at the time of having 15 acres of well tended vineyards, and cellars containing nine 700 gallon casks and one 1100 cask.(85) Two years later, when the property was bought under the provisions of the Real Property Act (still in the possession of Gorus) it was valued at ?8,000 and covered 606 acres and 18 perches.(86) The 1890's saw a disease known as Phylloxora, wipe out the vines in Campbelltown and the old winery fell into disuse.(87) Around this time Gorus converted the . breezeway between the cottage and the main house into a single storey, bow fronted addition, which became known as the Victorian Ballroom.(88) At this time also, roads were being constructed into the estate and, between Eagle Road and Eschol Road, 40 acres were subdivided to form housing blocks.(89) (see map) 33 Ref ??? If Only In 1901 John T. Gorus, of Eschol Park near Minto, now a civil servant, transferred the property, totaling 540 acres 2 roods and 12 perches (excluding the 40 acres of the subdivision) to Stephen Hewitt, a Gentleman, of Appin.(90) After Hewitt's death in 1920 the property passed into the joint ownership of John and Charles William Hewitt.(91) On 25 September 1924 the partnership broke up and the property was divided equally -- Charles taking 272 acres 2 roods comprising the portions on the lower part of the Parish map, leaving John the grants of Millington, Prentice, Yates, and parts of Johnson, Clarkson and Lenegan.(92) ------ p55 ------image On 4 May 1926 John Hewitt transferred the property to Vincent and Frank Felix Carroll, who became joint tenants(93) and on 28 February 1927 they transferred to Walter William Bayliss, a tanner from Botany.(94) The property passed to his widow Augusta Fanny Bayliss of Enfield and Gordon Horace Bayliss, a tanner of Strathfield in 1939.(95) They sold the estate to Leonard Guest, a grazier of Sydney, on 1 December 1942(96) and he in turn sold out to William Edward Robert John Braithwaite, a farmer of Campbelltown, on 9 February 1948.(97) Stanley Claude French bought the property from Braithwaite on 10 March 1951.(98) French was a registered bookmaker residing at Centennial Park and was still the owner of the estate in 1967 when a Certificate of Title was made out in his name.(99) In the 1970's the property was owned by the family of George Frederick Thompson, a company director of Minto, but by now the vast property was becoming smaller in size.(100) The property was transferred again in 1974 to Mario Peter Francis Auricchio, a dental surgeon, of South Camden and his wife Dianne Ruth. Also in 1974 approval was given for the use of the premises to sell Australian wines. Ten years later, in 1984, approval was given to the Auricchio's for alterations to enable the property to be used for wedding receptions. ESCHOL PARK HOUSE The beautiful home known as "ESCHOL PARK HOUSE", was built on the grant which Mark Millington acquired in 1816 and which passed into Thomas Clarkson's hands the very next day. The main house was built circa 1820 and we think it is most certainly the "substantial house"` that Clarkson claims he built there and on which he expended more than ?1,500. It was occupied by his daughter, Catherine and her family; the Thomas Rowleys. The house is a mixture of styles and was added to, in stages. The rear portion appears to have been built first, even possibly before the grants were given. It had brick foundations and wattle branch rafters and was tied into the main house at a later date. A single storey cottage, attached by a covered walkway to the main house on the south side, was the next stage of growth. It too, is of brick construction and has paned glass windows and was entered by a door leading into it from under the walkway. Today this doorway is at the front of the cottage. ------ p57 ------image . ------ p58 ------ The house was built using the ashlar method which is apparent on other houses built by Thomas Clarkson. This technique involved the laying of three bricks, side by side, covering them entirely with mortar and outlining it to give the impression of a single block. Above the doorway, an arch with glass panels was included (again in keeping with the style Thomas used). The mortar used in the construction contained shell, used in place of 34 Ref ??? If Only lime, which is thought to have been collected from the Georges River and traces of the shell can be seen in the mortar of the brickwork of the internal fireplaces. The building, surrounds and driveway have been classified by the National Trust. We feel the house could well have been constructed entirely by Thomas Clarkson (with the exception perhaps of the very old back portion) for the following reasons:- (1) He was in the area and purchasing land as early as 1815. (2) He purchased Mark Millington's grant,(upon which the house was later built), the very next day after the grant was given. i.e. 9 October 1816. (3) At the time of the purchase he was, and indeed had been for some considerable time actively engaged in building large and substantial stone and brick buildings and mills. His own home in Hunter Street, Sydney was, by 1813, a two storey, stone and brick house which boasted pillars with balls, adorning the front entrance. (4) In 1818 he built what was later known as St James Parsonage, and a comparison of the two buildings shows great similarity in style. (5) In 1819 the above mentioned Parsonage was valued at ?2,000 by Francis Greenway. In a letter written by Thomas Clarkson in 1822, he claimed the house at Eschol Park had cost him upwards of ?1,500 some time previously. On 8 April 1986, Eschol Park House celebrated a sparkling re-opening as a restaurant and function centre. It has been beautifully restored to its former style by the present owners, Margaret and Arthur Townsend and family. For their efforts they earned themselves an award for re-creating the original appearance, Once again the old house enjoys a period of grandeur. This grand display of early colonial history may be the only surviving trace of the numerous buildings and activities of Thomas Clarkson, whose marks in Old Sydney Town were overlooked when his possessions were absorbed into the estates of the bigger names in the colony. Eschol Park House is truly a beautiful house, and a credit to its present owners and a fitting memorial to the memory of Thomas Clarkson. The Missing Link By the time the colony welcomed in the year of 1815 the Clarksons were once again preparing for the arrival of another child, a Currency Lass this time, whom they would call Ann. Ann was born 20 March 1815 and became the sixth living child of Thomas and Catherine Clarkson.(1) Much speculation has been made on the whereabouts of young John Clarkson who would have been 4 years old when his father was convicted in Warwickshire England. No records exist which list free passengers on the "Alexander", which brought Thomas and his family to NSW, so proof that he actually accompanied them is difficult to obtain. However when Thomas petitioned Governor Macquarie in 1810 for the retaining of his pardon, his second son Thomas was but one month old, and in his petition Thomas makes reference to his having FOUR small infants ---- they would be Catherine, John, Sarah and little Thomas.(2) Again, in the muster of 1814, Catherine declares she has FIVE children, and . as Ann was not born until March of the following year, (and therefore would not have been counted) this too, would seem to include Catherine, John, Sarah and Thomas and Mountford, --born 1812.(3) When the Clarkson's attended St Phillips Church to baptise part of their brood in June 1816, the list included Sarah, Thomas, Mountford and Ann, all baptised together.(4) John and Catherine are both missing but their respective ages may have excluded them, as 35 Ref ??? If Only Catherine would have been 17 and John 16, and perhaps he was already part of the workforce. So their ommission is not unusual. There appears to be no record of a death of a younger John Clarkson, nor a likely marriage in NSW. Convicts of the name of "John Clarkson" abound in the indents so the name appears in many areas and only confuses the issue. We noted the conviction in 1820 in Sydney, of a John Clarkson caught stealing in a dwelling.(5) A John Clarkson left the colony as a seaman on the ship "Baring"(6) in 1819 but definite identification is difficult. If John had left as a private individual, to return home to England, he would have been required to advertise the fact in the Sydney Gazette but no entry has been sighted during our research. The muster taken of all the colony's inhabitants in 1822 clearly lists the Clarkson's in detail.(7) Thomas Clarkson, free by servitude, "Alexander", 14 yrs, Licensed brewer, Sydney. Catherine Clarkson, came free, "Alexander", Colonial Sentence of 5 yrs. Wife of Thomas Clarkson. Sarah 17 yrs, came free. Thomas 11 yrs. Born in Colony. Mountford 8 yrs, Born in Colony. Ann 5 yrs, Born in Colony. Mary 4 yrs. Born in Colony. Catherine (Jnr) by this time was married and was listed with the family of Thomas Rowley. John Clarkson does not appear at all. When Thomas Clarkson died in 1824, his Will made mention of his family thus: my son and daughters namely John Clarkson, Thomas Clarkson, Mountford Clarkson, Catherine Clarkson, Sarah Clarkson, ,Ann Clarkson and Mary Clarkson. The Will was dated 1824.(8) The muster of 1825 still does not include John Clarkson but neither does it include Sarah (even under her married name of Cook) but it contains other errors in the families details so perhaps it is not very reliable in this case.(9) A petition written by Catherine herself in 1825 states she has a family of 7 --- "a heavy family of seven".(10) The census of 1828 is also devoid of John's name.(11) Curiously, in 1832 young Thomas Clarkson petitioned the court for a citation against the executors of his father's Will and describes himself as "his eldest son and son at heir".(12) Finally in 1840 when the property left to the children in Thomas' Will was sold, the name of John Clarkson appears again as one of the vendors.(13) Whatever the whole "John Clarkson" story is, we have been unable to record it here. It is best left to those of his descendants, if there be any, to retrace his steps fully and unravel the mystery. We concur however that we believe John came to NSW aboard the "Alexander" in 1806. LITTLE LEGAL DISPUTES . Changes were occurring in the legal halls of the colony and in 1814 the Civil Court became divided into 3 sections. These divisions were known as the Supreme Court, the Lieutenant Governor's Court and the Governor's Court. The Governor's Court was specifically formed to deal with the redemption of small debts, restricted to cases involving not more than ?50. It was presided over by the Judge Advocate and two others.(1) 36 Ref ??? If Only Thomas Clarkson was to frequent this court a number of times to register suits and at times to answer the suit of others. He was by no means a stranger to a court of law but always his offences were of a non violent nature and almost totally involved financial matters. In his profession as a brewer, baker, builder and landlord we've seen that he worked his financial affairs in a manner that is common today; borrowing on credit and promises. Whilst lending was an integral part of everyday life, the difficulties lay in retrieving the debt. It was to the Governor's Court that many creditors finally resorted when all else failed to settle the promises. The year of 1816 saw Thomas answer the suits of two men who had lent him money. These were for unpaid promises and unfortunately the records here are very scarce, and sometimes leave us with only the bare essentials to go on.(2) In the year of our Lord -- to wit Capias against Thomas Clarkson of Sydney, dealer, at the suit of Andrew Frazer of Sydney, baker, for ?50 upon promises Bail as by order ?88/-/- Bail Joseph Smith of Sydney Labourer and Abraham Whittaker of Sydney Labourer. Each of the bail of ? 88 Andrew Frazer was the baker who joined Thomas in his fine for selling bread under the assize price in 1813,(3) Joseph Smith a former owner of some of the premises Thomas had purchased close to Hunter St,(4) and Abraham Whittaker was the contractor of the Grose Farm fence for whom Thomas went surety in 1814.(5) In February 1816, Hugh Crabtree, a well known associate of Thomas' brought action against him for allegedly refusing to honour a promissory note of John Jones', drawn by Clarkson, "his certain note in writing commonly called a promissory note his hand being hereunto subscribed" for the value of ?34.(6) ------ p62 ------image Nathaniel Miller, butcher, swore a deposition that Clarkson did indeed owe the money and that the due date was long past. Bail was set at ?60/-/- and was posted by Joseph Smith of Phillip St and Abraham Whittaker of Castlereagh St, both labourers. No verdicts for either case have been located as yet. Early in 1816 Thomas Clarkson filed suit against Thomas Legg, a bricklayer of Sydney.(7) These two men were well acquainted. (Legg had previously sold two properties to Thomas, one of which was very close to Clarkson's own home and which was the very one to spark off this dispute.) This was No 53 Phillip St which Thomas Legg had sold to Thomas Parsonage on 11 November 1813, for ?105 sterling "but reserving to himself the use and occupation of the same for 6 months".(8) Thomas Parsonage then in turn, sold the premises to Thomas Clarkson in February of the following year for the name amount of money -- "with Legg ratifying the same".(9) By the 1 April 1816, Legg had occupied the house for 80 weeks and it would appear that his accounts with Thomas Clarkson for the rent of the house "and divers . goods , wares and merchandise by the said Thomas Clarkson before that time sold to the said Thomas Legg" were long overdue.(10) Legg had promised repayment AS required and WHEN required by Thomas Clarkson. According to Clarkson though, Legg owed him these several sums of money and was refusing to pay even though he'd been approached by Clarkson on various occasions. The claim was made that Legg owed ?50 and was 37 Ref ??? If Only "contriving and fraudulently intending craftily and subtly to deceive and defraud the said Thomas Clarkson in this respect".(11) As a result of this complaint Frederick Darling, Judge Advocate ordered William Gore, the Provost Marshall of the colony to "bring the body of Thomas Leqg of Sydney, in the territory, bricklayer or to take bail for his appearance before the Governor's Court at Sydney on 1st June 1816".(12) Bail was set at ?50 and the subpoena was dated 1 June 1816, Later events were to show that Legg was probably evicted from the premises as other tenants appear from here on. In 1817 the Provost Marshall published a list of properties to be auctioned to the public, in the Sydney Gazette of 5 July. The auctions were the results of decisions handed down in the various courts and were specifically to recover debts. The following item was included…(13) Terry v Clarkson By virtue of an execution issued forth of the Governor's Court, I will cause to be set up for sale by Public Auction, on Tuesday the 5th instant in the Public Market Place (today's location is that of the Victoria Building) Sydney at one o'clock precisely 1 horse with harness and a cart And at 2 o'clock the same day will be sold, on the premises - the neat household furniture the property of the Defendant Terms --- Prompt Payment. We have lost count of the amount of times that Thomas' home and household goods were threatened with sale but like their owner they just keep resurfacing in time for another crisis. Several actions concerning the sale of Thomas' goods, were cancelled due to payments being forthcoming just in time to save them. Perhaps this was just another such case. MORTGAGES Thomas Clarkson's business affairs were worked on a system of credit and payments. By 1817 he had effected his first mortgage with a Mr George Hall of Pitt Town, an old friend of Clarkson's of whom we've spoken earlier. This was to give us our first listing of the properties and land that Thomas had been able to acquire in just over seven short years (bearing in mind that he wasn't part of the commercial scene until at least 1809) "Indenture dated the seventeenth day of Hay 1817 between Thomas Clarkson of Sydney and George Hall of Pitt Town Free settler…"(14) His possessions included; All the household furniture, cart and horse and implements of husbandry, four stacks of wheat and a variety of swine and poultry at his HOUSE and FARM at BUNBURY CURRAN. A windmill situate Surrey Hills A house and premises in the Brickfields -- let to James Smith dealer A house and premises Kent St -- let to Samuel Tooley Smith (actually Bent St) A house and premises 34 Clarence St . No 71 Pitt St -- let to Elizabeth Williams No 72 Pitt St -- let to William Roberts No 73 Pitt St -- let to John Wood No 53 Phillip St -- let to Isaac Wood No 13 Phillip St -- let to Thomas Capon ------ p65 ------image 38 Ref ??? If Only Shows the 5 location of Clarkson's mill in relation to other holdings. Shows site of Woodman in Hunter Street; properties on 4 corners of Phillip and Hunter Streets; St James Parsonage building; 3 houses in Pitt Street; 5 acres on which Clarkson and Palmer had the stone mill and the location of Cleveland Gardens, sold by Clarkson in 1819. This map also gives the location of Old Burial ground [now Town Hall] and that of the next burial place, which is now Central Station. No 54 Phillip St -- let to Thomas Day No 12 Phillip St -- let to Charles Teairelebough A house in Macquarie St -- let to Edward Roche Premises in Hunter St and furniture, owned and occupied by Clarkson Two Portland Head farms -- Lamb's Farm -- tenants Jas Fitzpatrick John Everett A house and premises situate in Macquarie St belonging to and building by Clarkson, to be finished in a masterly and workmanlike manner. A farm at Windsor -- let to George Lawder (actually Louther.) 17 farms owned by Clarkson at Bunburry Curran (near Campbelltown) 84 head of cattle and livestock, 4 stacks of wheat, the household furniture, a cart, horse and implements of husbandry at Woodland Grove at Airds. (We wonder if this is the same cart and horse put up for sale by auction in July 1817 as a result of the action brought against Clarkson by Terry.) The first and last abovementioned possessions would appear to be the same properties and were perhaps mentioned twice to ensure all inclusions were covered. All this amounted to a VERY IMPRESSIVE ESTATE and the entire list of properties, premises and goods were mortgaged for the IMPRESSIVE SUM of ?12,000, signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of William Fleming and John Cureton. The windmill referred to in the indenture was built by Clarkson himself and was run in partnership with Richard Palmer.(15) It was built for the purpose of co-ordinating the business of farming and retailing. Here Thomas had facilities to mill his grain for his duel trades of baking and brewing and he was able to offer the services of his mill to the inhabitants. The house in Macquarie St let to Edward Roche was probably the property purchased from Andrew Kaine by Catherine Clarkson Jnr. Edward Roche had arrived in the colony on the "Minstral" in 1811(16) so possibly would have known Thomas Clarkson for some years. Edward's wife, Margaret was to have dealings with Catherine Clarkson Snr, at a later date. Lamb's Farm at Portland Head was still tenanted by John Everett when Commissioner Bigge tabled his statistics on Emancipist farmers in the Hawkesbury district in 1820. John Watson was the other tenant mentioned, so presumably he was occupying the other portion of the same farm.(17) (formerly tenanted by Fitzpatrick), . ------ p67 ------image THE WINDMILL OPPOSITE: This sketch shows Clarkson's Mill as it appeared on the Darlinghurst skyline in the early 1830's. No less than 6 windmills could be seen on the hills there. The two shown in the sketch were not far from St. James Church, which can be seen faintly in the background. 39 Ref ??? If Only The mill known as Clarkson's was built by him and Richard Palmer. It was constructed of stone and turned mechanically into the wind. This mill was referred to in a letter sent to the Sydney Morning Herald in the 1880's by "Patria". He located the mill "at or near the corner of Upper Dowling and Liverpool Streets while two others of wood were situated at the rear of a house known as Rosebank... " This corresponds to an allotment above Liverpool St, and immediately behind Rosebank as shown on Woolcott and Clarke's Map of 1854 and also to that on the survey map,1828. [5 acres] BELOW: Windmills at Darlinghurst--Panorama of Sydney circa 1836. ------ p68 ------image ------ p69 ------image ------ p70 ------image Clarkson's stone mill was built on 5 acres not far from the site of the gaol at Darlinghurst. Between the gaol and the mill was an allotment owned by Riley [it's southern boundary being Burton St.] Clarkson's acreage was bounded on the North by Laidley's portion; on the East by Brougham St. [now Darlinghurst Road]; the properties of Walker [Rose Hall] and Daniel Thompson [Harkham Hall] on the West and Riley on the South. This appears to place Clarkson's property just North of Liverpool Street. Photo courtesy of above] Mitchell Library below] John Willcocks; Rydalmere. ------ p70 ------image ------ p71 ------image A] Clarkson's property. B] Daniel Thompson. [Harkham Hall] C]Walker's portion [Rose Hall] D]J. Laidley's portion [Rosebank] E]Hynde's Mill, on 2 acres. F]Thomas Mitchell, Craigend Mill. G]Was this the road known as Clarkson's Mill Way which is honoured with a street named after it slightly north of this road The farm at Windsor in the possession of George Lawder was known as Whitton's Farm (formerly Barnes') and was in his tenancy from 1815, immediately after it became Clarkson's property.(18) The name Woodland Grove that appears here may well have been the name of Thomas' home at Bunburry Curran but no further mention of that name has been noted on any other document or source of information sighted during our research. CLEVELAND GARDENS An interesting inclusion in this mortgage was that of the property known as Cleveland Gardens. This was described as being 10 acres of land with a dwelling . house and outoffices, situate at Cleveland Lodge near Surrey Hills.(19) The land had been granted to Charles Smith by Lieutenant Governor Paterson for the purpose of growing produce for the markets.(20) Charles Smith was a convict who arrived on board the "Scarborough" in 1790 (2nd Fleet.)(21) When Macquarie assumed office he confirmed the grant and a deed dated 1 January 1810 was issued to Smith.(22) 40 Ref ??? If Only An advertisement in the Sydney Gazette of 26 March 1814 announced ….(23) Charles Smith of Cleveland Gardens, respectfully begs leave to aquaint the public that he has on sale a quantity of fine Botanik (sic) seed, warranted sound and collected since last November. Likewise, living plants of all kinds and a number of very fine Orange trees, now in fine condition for removing. Smith's garden was opposite the Devonshire Street Burial grounds (which was later to become Central Railway Station) and to the West of Surrey Hills Farm. On 18 January 1817, Charles Smith took out a loan from Thomas Clarkson for ?92 sterling, subject to interest and payable within one year of the date of the loan.(24) Twelve months and one day later. Thomas Clarkson leased the premises at Cleveland Gardens to John Doe 25) for a period of seven years to begin from that very day, Doe had been resident but one day, when a Mr Richard Roe, yeoman, of Sydney, entered the premises with force and arms and evicted Doe from the farm. Consequently the pair ended up adversaries in court, and Thomas Clarkson became involved as the leasee. Richard Roe's part in ail of this became apparent when he contacted Smith, informing him that if he didn't come to court and replace Roe as the defendant in the case then Roe would allow a judgement to be brought against himself in default. Since Roe considered himself a "casual ejector" only and declared he had no claim or title to the land he had nothing to lose by conviction but, as he informed Smith, Smith, himself stood to lose possession of the land and premises. Roe's plea to Smith read as follows:(26) Mr Charles Smith I am informed you are in possession of, or claim title to, the premises in the declaration of Ejectment mentioned or to some part there of, and I, being sued in this action as the casual ejector only and having no claim or title to the same do advise you to appear on the 26th day of February next 1818 in the Supreme Court of Judicature in and for the Territory of NSW by some attorney of that court and then and there by rule of the same court to cause yourself to be said defendant in my stead otherwise I shall suffer Judgement therein to be entered against me by default and you will be turned out of possession Yours Etc., Richard Roe 30th January 1818 Richard ward, clerk to Thomas Amos, Doe and Clarkson's attorney, personally served Smith with a summons for him to appear in court to show cause why he should not be turned out of possession. The notice was read and explained to him by Mr Ward as Smith was unable to read,(27) On 7 March the attorneys of both parties advised Smith he should replace Roe as defendant and face a charge of trespass and ejectment for the farm in question. Reading between the lines it would appear that Smith had given up his farm unwillingly when Clarkson wanted possession and when a tenant was installed on the premises he had enlisted the help of Roe, to recover ownership. (perhaps Thomas had given him few options.) . So Smith found himself in front of the court and suffered the indignity of hearing a verdict given in favour of the Plaintiff. A writ of Fiere Facias Possessionium was drawn up on 24 March 1818 and was returned to the court 16 April, executed,(28) Clarkson was the owner, 41 Ref ??? If Only On 14 August 1819 an advertisement appeared in the Sydney Gazette informing the public that as Thomas Clarkson was leaving the colony and going to England, various parts of his estate were to be put up for auction by Mr Lord, (a well known auctioneer)(29) for further particulars apply to Mr R.L. Murray, Sydney who is authorised to dispose of any part of the same by private contract. Included was: all that very valuable estate, situate near the turnpike (toll gates leading to Parramatta) at Sydney, inclosed by a four railed fence containing near 12 acres, more or less, Commonly called Cleaveland Gardens. It is recorded that in April 1819, Clarkson sold the property to R.L. Murray and it was subsequently sold to Daniel Cooper on 9 September 1819 by R.L. Murray.(30) (Daniel Cooper was responsible for building a magnificent home there.(31) Today the house still stands and is situated in Buckingham Street, Surrey Hills.(32) Although its future is uncertain, the grand old house is a very real reminder of an era of trial and tribulation and small glimpses of grandeur that went together to make up our colony's beginnings). Poor Charles Smith died on 5 July 1818, just months after losing his farm, possibly rueing the day he'd borrowed from Thomas` Clarkson.(33) For Thomas, that wasn't to be the end to it all. In September he enlisted the help of George Crossley, whom he had empowered to act as his attorney, to recover possession of "the papers, deeds, writings proceedings in this and all other causes wherein the said Thomas Sterrop Amos (his Former Attorney) had been in any wise concerned as attorney" for Clarkson. For some unknown reason Amos refused to hand these papers over to his client. Unfortunately we have been unable to uncover more facts on this incident and so have been left to wonder the causes and outcome of ail of this.(34) In spite of Thomas Clarkson advertising the fact that he was intending to leave the colony, it is rather doubtful at this point that he ever did so. HUNTER STREET SAVED AGAIN Robert Campbell, the younger, resorted to court action in September 1817 to recover the residue of a debt owed him from a loan taken out by Thomas Clarkson on 14 April 1813. A judgement had been issued on 17 June 1814, ordering Thomas to pay the said, damages and costs. By September 1817 the debt had obviously not been settled and Judge Amos directed the Provost Marshall "that of the goods and chattels. lands and tenements of Thomas Clarkson ... you cause to be made the sum of ?147/15/- sterling" plus costs. Pursuant to this writ, the Provost Marshall took into his possession "a certain dwelling house and premises situate in Hunter Street, Sydney the sale of which was postponed by order of the plaintiff and now remains in my possession".(35) Apparently once more Thomas was able to cover the debt without the loss of his home and inn. Later events were to show Thomas had borrowed the money from Robert Lathrope Murray to Pay Campbell. ------ p75 ------image ST JAMES PARSONAGE AN ANGRY TENANT . Thomas Clarkson was the owner/builder of premises in Macquarie Street built on the 3 adjoining allotments he'd purchased there in 1812. The mortgage to Hall in 1817 indicates that it was under construction then and was "to be finished by the said Thomas Clarkson in a masterly and workmanlike manner".(36) That was in May, and by October of that year (1817) Thomas leased the house in it's unfinished state to Francis 42 Ref ??? If Only Ewen Forbes (not to be confused with the Chief Justice of the same name) Gentleman, of Sydney. The premises had by then become: all that new built stone dwelling House , messuages or tenements and premises with the appurtenances situate and being the corner House on the west side, and at the east side fronting the New General Hospital in the town of Sydney aforesaid. Together with all cellars, chambers, rooms, stables outhouses edifices and buildings.(37) The lease was for seven years and the contract was to begin on 20 January of the new year (1818) at an annual rent of ?70 for the first three years and ?90 thereafter. The term was determinable on Forbes giving Clarkson three months notice in writing of his intention to vacate the premises.(38) By June the house was still not tenantable and a footnote was added to the original contract to the effect that, instead of commencing from the 20th January, the lease would be computed from the date when the: said demised dwelling house and premises shall be put in such order, repair and condition.(39) Francis Ewen Forbes was never to occupy these rented premises. The house was ultimately completed and although Forbes claimed to have paid the first annual installment of rent (?70 sterling) he was denied occupation from that point on. On 28 May 1818 Francis Ewen Forbes appealed to the Supreme Court of Civil Jurisdiction for a judgement against Clarkson on the grounds that Thomas had breached the covenant agreed upon regarding the occupation of the premises. Forbes was obviously intending to use the premises professionally as he also claimed damages due to the loss or the use of the same. He also claimed that the house had been completed for some time and was quite habitable. ------ p77 ------image Forbes' occupation of the house was hindered by the claims of D'Arcy Wentworth. Thomas Hart and Robert Lathrop Murray, all of whom claimed the right of occupation, and who had prevented him "from entering the said premises or any part thereof". Thomas retaliated by stating that the agreements signed by him and to which Forbes referred, were not the words of his deed and claimed he had not broken any covenants "if such a clause was really contained in the supposed indenture" which he doubted. (Whether Thomas knew it or not, just such a deed was registered with the Judge Advocate, and the wording was as Forbes said.)(40) Satisfaction, to a small extent would have been Forbes' to enjoy at the conclusion of the case, for having lost his intended home and being "out of pocket" he was to hear the Judge rule in his favour and order up the home of Thomas Clarkson for sale to recover the damages suffered by Forbes. The sale was never executed, however, as Thomas was able to secure the payments of the damages, costs and fees ruled against him by Justice Barren Field.(41) THE WENTWORTH INFLUENCE The involvement of D'Arcy Wentworth and Thomas Hart in this drama . became clearer when the financial dealings of Thomas Clarkson during that period were consulted. On 23 March 1818, only months after Forbes was to have commenced his occupation of the premises, Clarkson mortgaged the house and land to D'Arcy Wentworth for ?350.(42) This and an accompanying mortgage appear to have been drawn up with great attention being paid to detail in the contract. This could be attributed to one of two 43 Ref ??? If Only factors, either Wentworth considered the property a lucrative prospect for ultimate possession or he was aware of the wily Clarkson's methods and was trying to cover all angles . The three allotments were described as being at the South extremity of Macquarie St, adjoining Hyde Park, measuring 100 feet on the Macquarie St. side and about 120 feet facing Hyde Park. Erected on the land was a "capitol stone and brick dwelling house… together with all the stables, barns, ciach houses, wells, waterways, gardens, trees, plants, shrubs etc."(43) Initially ,he contract was made out in the usual format of any mortgage of the time, containing the usual description of the premises, the amounts of monies involved, details of interest rates and the terms (in this case it was to be paid back within the year with interest charged at the highest permissible rate) and it contained a clause authorising redemption of the property on payment of the loan. However the very, next day something induced Wentworth to draw a very detailed contract which included not only the above considerations, but a paragraph governing the ownership of the deeds, evidences, writings and in particular the "grant of the same when such grant should be delivered by His Excellency Governor Macquarie to the said Thomas Clarkson". These mortgages were both witnessed Robert Lathrop Murray and John Charles Wentworth, and were registered on 25 June 1818.(44) The mortgage was apparently repaid and the property redeemed by Thomas, as on 14 August 1819 the premises were offered for sale under the disposal of R.L. Murray. They were advertised in the Sydney Gazette "as part of the valuable estate of Mr Thos. Clarkson proceeding to England".(45) The first item described was.... A11 that capitol newly-erected stone built residence situate at the end of Macquarie St, finished in the best and most expensive manner" with double coach house, stables detached kitchens and offices, large gardens and every convenience for a family of the very first respectability.(46) The part that was played by Mr Thomas Hart in the fiasco of Francis Forbes trying to gain access to these premises which he had rented from Clarkson, became obvious when evidence was discovered that Thomas let the house to the same Mr Hart. Hart was a dealer himself and perhaps had more than this in common with Clarkson and his associates. Thomas Hart was to occupy the premises from 1 October 1818 till 1 April 1819. Ironically, Clarkson was then forced to take Hart to court to recover the rent he owed and which Hart was now refusing to pay.(47) ST JAMES PARSONAGE In 1819 Francis Greenway, then the Civil Government Architect, valued the house in Macquarie St.(48) Measuring and valuing Mr Clarkson's house for Intended purchase of Government 8P Cent on ?2000 Estimate of work done by contract under the superintendence and direction of F. Greenway, Civi1 Architect . Charged ?60-.(49) Just how D'Arcy Wentworth acquired the house and premises is difficult to say with complete certainty, but an auction in August 1819 (as previously referred to) advertised the premises at Macquarie St, "finished in the Best and most expensive manner".(50) and by 31 December 1819 D'Arcy Wentworth became the owner of the land and premises by grant from Lachlan Macquarie.(51) 44 Ref ??? If Only ------ p80 ------image D'Arcy Wentworth, the principal Surgeon and Superintendent of Police in the colony, advertised his newly acquired house for sale on 1 April 1820. A notice was issued in the Sydney gazette;(52) to be let or sold with immediate possession all that capital newly-erected stone built dwelling house and premises situated at the corner of Macquarie Street on the race course with coachhouses, stabling, large garden, and every convenience and accommodation for a family of the first respectability etc, etc. Enquire of the proprietor D Wentworth Esquire., Sydney. On 17 February 1821, Francis Greenway tendered a valuation of the house to the government and again he found it to be worth at least ?2000. By this time it was still owned by Mr Wentworth and was in the occupation of John Oxley, the surveyor. The separate valuations of the stonemason, carpenter and engineer give us a detailed description of the house.(53) It had 5 upper rooms, an upper passage, stair case, 4 lower rooms, a front and back door one with a circular headed window, 2 arches over the doors, 6 fireplaces, 2 chimney tops, 10 pairs of shutters, a kitchen, privy, and a well, stables, palisading and gates. The Sydney Gazette of 23 June 1821 lists the rent that Wentworth charged the government for the Surveyor general to occupy the premises from 1 July 1821 to 3 March 1821. The amount paid from the Police Fund to Wentworth was ?80.(54) D'Arcy Wentworth sold his house and land to the government for ?1500 on 23 June 1821, and his grant was subsequently cancelled.(55) The building then became known as the Surveyor General's Office, and there is mention that the comptroller of Internal Revenue, William Macpherson, was based there, By February 1838 it was given to St James Church (which was built in 1820 on a site very close by) for use as a residence by its clergy. Two rooms were used as a Diocesan Registry. Between 1840 and 1843 the Australian Subscription Library was housed there in these premises. Twenty four perches of the original grant were granted to the church Trustees of St James on 14 June 1845, and the house became known as St James Parsonage. On the remaining perches, the Crown Law Offices were built. In 1887, Andrew McCauley leased the property and was given permission to demolish the building and erect a new one.(56) Today the magnificent Supreme court building stands an the site of Thomas' "capital stone built messuage", in some ways it is a fitting reminder to us of a man who was closely connected to courtroom disputes and who had grand ideas in buildings. 1818 DRAWS TO A CLOSE. On 24 October 1818, the bench Magistrate sat to investigate and rule on the many complaints and charges laid before them. That day the Judge Advocate had D'Arcy Wentworth, Simeon Lord and Richard Brooks sitting on the bench with him. Business to hand included; (57) a quantity of cedar claimed by Mr Thomas Clarkson under a permit of His . Excellency the Governor, dated 1 December 1817, having been seized by the constables, and no person appearing this day to claim the same it is condemned in the usual manner. Thomas apparently didn't want the timber now or else his litigations in the legal halls had so tied him up that he missed his opportunity to claim the cedar. The court as 45 Ref ??? If Only usual, finished the proceedings for the day by setting the assize price for bread ---- that day "same as last week -- 5 3/4 pence".(58) In November 1818 Thomas Clarkson complained to the Supreme Civil Courts that Charles Beasley owed him ?94/15/- on a promissory note.(59) A promissory note had been made out to James Fitzpatrick on 21 November 1815 by Beasley and payment was promised within four months, but before this period was up Fitzpatrick used the note to pay Clarkson, leaving Beasley now liable to make the payment to Thomas.(60) (Fitzpatrick it will be remembered was made tenant at Lamb's Farm by Clarkson in 1817.) On 10 September 1818 Beasley was further indebted to Thomas for ?200 and again promised payment. Further debts were claimed as being owing -- in fact seven counts of debts were tabled. There must have been some irregularity in all of this for at some stage during the hearing, the case was abandoned and a judgement of nonsuit was given against the plaintiff, in this case Thomas Clarkson. Towards the end of 1818 Thomas brought suit against Hugh Crabtree of Pitt Town to recover damages of ?150. By May 1819 Crabtree had not appeared to answer the charges and was duly arrested. Details of the case are scarce but it appears a writ of Fieri Facias was issued against Hugh Crabtree "in debt for ?188/6/2 and costs ?3, returnable 15 May 1820. Levy ?103/6/- besides poundage and other fees".(61) The outcome of this incident is uncertain due to the lack of documents available on this case but it appears that Hugh Crabtree's farm and livestock were to be auctioned to recover his arrears.(62) On the rural side Thomas' holdings were increasing. A land and stock muster taken in 1818 gives us the following details of his assets;(63) 30 October 1818 ---- Thomas Clarkson held 2000 acres, 400 of which were cleared. On this land he had growing; 70 acres of wheat 20 acres of maize 1 acre of barley half acre of oats half acre of potatoes half acre of peas and beans and 3 acres devoted to gardens and orchard He was in possession of; 4 horses 144 head of horned cattle 300 sheep 60 hogs His barns held; 500 bushells of wheat 70 bushells of maize Two big changes occurred in the personal life of Thomas Clarkson during the . year of 1818. On 27 February 1818 his eldest daughter Catherine was married to Thomas Rowley at Castlereagh by Reverend Henry Fulton. Thomas was the son of the late Lieutenant Thomas Rowley of the NSW Corps.(64) Thomas Clarkson was to install his daughter and her new husband on his Bunburry Curran estates in the new home he'd built there.(65) When the 1818 muster of stock and land was taken Rowley himself was credited with holding 150 acres with 120 cleared at Liverpool.(66) 46 Ref ??? If Only On 19 September 1818 the last of the little Clarkson "cornstalks" was born. This "Colonial Kid" was a little girl and was to be called Mary - perhaps after Thomas' mother. She was baptised with her new cousin Thomas Rowley Jnr., at St Phillips Church Sydney on 24 January 1819, almost 13 years to the day since Thomas had been bundled on board the "Alexander" at Portsmouth. Both Catherines baptised their babies together.(67) And so Thomas Clarkson saw 1818 draw to a close. He was the owner of an impressive estate, multiple premises, a mill and one or two financial headaches but he had a new son in law whom he would always consider as "friend", a new daughter and his first grandchild, Thomas Rowley Jnr. born December 1818. He had reason to smile. ------ p84 ------image AND EVEN A PAPER MILL, On 13 February 1819 a notice was published in the Sydney Gazette as follows; all persons having claims on Mr Thomas Clarkson are hereby requested to present the same for payment as it is his intention to proceed to Europe in a few days.(1) The notice went on to say that although frequent requests had been made for the settlement of outstanding debts owed Thomas, unless prompt payments were met he would resort to action in the Courts of Civil Jurisdiction to recover his monies. Later events suggest that he probably had no intentions of leaving the colony but was using this as a ploy to encourage quick settlement of accounts. This was not altogether an original approach on Thomas' behalf, as it had been tried by others before him, to obtain similar effects. The use of the announcement in the paper was in fact making use of a regulation put into force by Governor Macquarie. This regulation made it mandatory to declare intentions to leave the colony. This was to enable accounts to be settled and to keep tabs on who was coming and going.(2) About the same that Thomas Clarkson was announcing to the colony that he was about to leave and travel to England he entered into a contract to provide a commodity that was very scarce in the settlement; this was paper. Already there was a mill erected at a short distance East of the New road to Botany Bay which was producing paper from linen and cotton rags. On 18 April 1818 the proprietors of this mill, George Duncan and a Mr Warren, gave notice in the Sydney Gazette that their mill was operational and that they were desirous of receiving linen and cotton rags, at a satisfactory price, to produce "a paper which w111 be made fit for all purposes , and at as cheap a rate as in Great Britain".(3) The mill was driven by water power from the water stream situated between Sydney and Botany Bay, known as the Botany Stream. Apparently problems arose with this existing mill for in February 1819 Thomas Clarkson was assigned an allotment of ground by Governor Macquarie just two portions below the site of the original mill and in agreement with George Duncan of Bank Mill near Botany, Clarkson undertook to build a complete mill for manufacturing paper there. George Duncan sold him the old mill and it's site with the proviso that Thomas pay the debts still owing on the machinery at the old mill. The allotment between these two portions belonged to John Hutchinson and the mill was to be built on "that part of . the run of water or water stream situated between Sydney and Botany Bay."(4) Thomas agreed to allow George Duncan 10/- per week for provisions and another 10/- for his services in completing the mill and the machinery. This payment was to continue until they were cleared of the expenses of the project and were showing a profit. At that point George Duncan was to have a third share of the business. This interest would cease on his death and was not transferable to any of 47 Ref ??? If Only his family or associates. The agreement was witnessed by Richard Palmer (Thomas' partner in the windmill at Surrey Hills) and Frederick Fisher, who appears to have had an interest in the original site of the mill.(5) On 23 September 1820 Thomas Clarkson mortgaged various properties to Robert Cooper and Samuel Levey and one inclusion was "That newly erected watermill with the land and premises adjoining, situate on the Botany Bay stream and known by the name of the Macquarie Paper Mill".(6) The mill was situated two miles to the right of the flat used to train horses and at the head of a swamp which supplied Sydney with water. In 1833 the mill was in ruins. On 17 February 1821 the Sydney Gazette, as well as mentioning the expensiveness of paper at the time also announced that the supplement Gazette for that day had been printed on paper manufactured in the colony.(7) Beyond this point we have not investigated the mill any further, however we did note that, according to the Sydney Gazette of November 1826 a Colonial Paper Mill had been erected.(8) On 2 April 1819, the day after the deadline given in an announcement in the Gazette for the settling of his accounts, Thomas mortgaged four of his town properties to Mr John Lawrie, a Sydney merchant.(9) These premises were at the Market Street end of Pitt Street, (bounded on the South by Market and on the west by Pitt) and were numbered 71, 72, and 73. The mortgage was for ?253/15/- and also included a property in Phillip Street known as No 21. There was a proviso on this mortgage for redemption of the premises on settlement of the debt. This was redeemed by repayment and the properties again became part of the Clarkson estate.(10) In March, Thomas Moore Esquire, of Liverpool, had cause to sue Thomas for money overdue on a note dated 24 January 1818.(11) Thomas asked for the judgement on the case not to be signed until July and promised payment of the debt if given the extra time. The case was heard on the 24 July and Moore was awarded his debt and damages, amounting to a total of ?106/4/-. To cover the excess still owing a levy was imposed and once again Thomas' goods and chattels were to come under the hammer. The Provost Marshall returned the writ to the court with the following report: "Pursuant to the within writ of Fieri Facias to me directed, I caused a levy to be made on a certain dwelling house and premises together with sundry articles of household furniture, the property of the defendant, therein named, which was afterwards withdrawn an payment of the damages". (12) The receiving of summonses was becoming a common part of Thomas Clarkson's life. "Thomas Clarkson take notice that the said complaint will be examined at the Courtroom Sydney on 27th July instant when and where you will duly attend with your witnesses and also two sufficient bail, according to the exigency hereof or on default the court will proceed to judgement thereon". (13) This was to answer the suit of Daniel Cooper, destined to become a thorn in the side of Thomas Clarkson before too long. Thomas owed Cooper upwards of . ?25/7/11 on a note and was now refusing to pay. He was duly arrested and bail was taken to assure his appearance in court on the required day. ------ p87 ------image ------ p88 ------image ------ p89 ------ PAIN, TROUBLE AND RESPONSIBILITY 48 Ref ??? If Only Thomas turned to one Robert Lathrop Murray for assistance with his financial affairs on many occasions. Murray, born in England in 1777 had served in the army there but having_ been found guilty of bigamy was transported to NSW per the ship "Fanny" in 1816. On his arrival he was employed by D'Arcy Wentworth and at a later date was a clerk for the Bench Magistrates. Now, simply described as Gentleman, he was to figure prominently in Thomas' affairs. On 12 July 1819, Thomas settled his accounts with Murray. Payment was made by means of promissory notes and Thomas took out a Warrant of Attorney to indemnify Murray against any losses. (This meant Murray would not be liable for payment.) The notes in question were for ?150, ?150, ?250 and ?168 and Thomas considered all was more than settled by these payments.(14) A month later, a very interesting notice appeared in the Sydney Gazette, dated 14 August 1819.(15) By Mr Lord The following very valuable property. Part of the Estate of Mr Thomas Clarkson, proceeding to England Here we find listed some of the impressive premises Thomas had amassed and these were being sold either by auction or by Mr R.L. Murray who had been authorised to dispose of any part by Private Contract. The properties included; Macquarie St Residence, finished in the best and most expensive Manner,... two double storey dwellings at the corner of Phillip and Hunter St, a two storey house in Bent St, with good stable and large garden, a good stone house in Phillip St, extending though to Elizabeth St,.. three well built homes in Pitt St,… Cleaveland Gardens and several farms and houses in various parts of the country From this sale the premises in Macquarie St apparently became D'Arcy Wentworth's and Cleveland Gardens passed to Daniel Cooper. (transaction of September from Murray to Cooper).(16) The other properties were retained. In November, Murray again claimed that Clarkson was still in his debt for ?800 and took him to court to recover the arrears.(17) There was some difference of opinion between the parties over the notes mentioned in the previous warrant of attorney, dated 12 July 1819. Thomas claimed one of the ?150 notes more than covered the balance he owed Murray in July but that Murray requested it be ------ p90 ------image included as well. Thus, as Clarkson said no other statements had been furnished to him from Murray since then, he was sure that if the accounts were examined, they would show a definite amount overpaid. Murray denied he had insisted on the excess from that note of ?150 being paid to him, as Thomas had stated. Murray maintained that… Defendant (Thomas) from his first transaction with his deponent (Murray) has constantly been more or less considerably in his deponent's debt.(18) Murray cited cases where he had paid large sums of money to Thomas to . enable him to remove executions on his property.... (19) ..once at the suit of Mr Crossley on Thomas' home, another at the suit of Mr Forbes -- (it will be remembered that Forbes was the gentleman who was refused tenancy of the house in Macquarie St,) and another unto Mr Garling.... "to extricate Defendant's person from execution…and at times when defendant (Thomas) stated to be utterly devoid of resources." 49 Ref ??? If Only He claimed he had settled many accounts for Thomas and that at all times Clarkson accepted that he was considerably in Murray's debt. Murray finally stated he was unable to open his accounts for perusal as many of the vouchers and receipts were given up to Thomas and had been destroyed on settlement. As for Thomas' claim that he, Murray, owed him money it could be seen from the accounts produced to the court that Clarkson had signed his agreement of the debt he owed to Murray. He firmly stated that he had never once charged any interest... "for the large sums of money he was continually (giving) in advance for him, nor was any charge ever made by him, for agency or for the pains, trouble and responsibility he had been at in Defendant's affairs".(20) According to Murray, Thomas had never objected to the accuracy of his accounts until he was faced with the demand for a sum upwards of ?200, now due and owing to Murray. As a result of these proceedings, a judgement was signed giving Murray permission to recover the debt from Thomas' possessions.(21) on the 4th of December Thomas' , ... "house, baker shop, and premises situate in Hunter Street, the residence of the Defendant, together with the stork in trade and sundry articles of household furniture, goods, chattels and effects" These were advertised for sale,(22) but the debt was settled by some other means and the action was cancelled, the levy being withdrawn by Murray's solicitor Mr Moore.(23) On the 5th of April Thomas again signed an additional Warrant of Attorney for a suit at the action of Murray.(24) --- this time for ?220 sterling stating that no execution be issued until 25 December 1820. On 16 September 1820, Murray sold his interest in this Warrant to Simeon Lord for ?234/14/-.(25) Early in 1821 Murray again sued Clarkson for ?400 damages and was again awarded a verdict to recover his losses. (No more details can be found on this case).(26) REPAYMENTS Evidence that Thomas was actually paying back his debts was shown in an action against John Lawrie in November 1819 when Clarkson sued him for money owing on goods, wares and merchandises sold him.(27) New South Wales, to wit, Thomas Clarkson of Sydney, dealer, maketh oath and saith that John Lawrie of the same place, merchant, is justly and truly indebted unto this deponent in the sum of seven hundred and fifty pounds for divers goods wares and merchandise sold and delivered by this deponent to the said John Lawrie and at his request and for money had and received by the said John Lawrie to and for the use of this deponent -- and also for as much money due and owing from the said Lawrie to this depondent upon balance of an account stated and settled between this deponent and the said John Lawrie and which is still due and unpaid. Thos. Clarkson. . Sworn before me at Sydney this 13th day November 1819 Barron Field (Judge.) During these proceedings Thomas claimed damages at ?1500 and was awarded ?446/7/8. Lawrie objected to the outcome and immediately appealed to the Courts of Appeal where the same verdict was handed down.(28) 50 Ref ??? If Only It was thanks to this trial however, that we came across items of accounts which show a mortgage repayment and other accounts of Thomas'.(29) Mr John Lawrie to Thomas Clarkson 1819 November 100 chests of tea at ?ll per chest ?1100 cash ?4 ?4 Do, being the difference, due me between the amount of mortgage debt ?253 and my two notes as payment of said mortgage. ?47 Debt ?150 (of note) each ?300 ------- ?1151/-/- This was presented as Thomas' version of the accounts and included the payment of a mortgage which was made to Lawrie in April. This comprised Thomas' Pitt St houses and a Phillip St premises. Lawrie was to claim that only one of the notes had been honoured and that the other "was still outstanding" with (Lawrie's) endorsement thereon and he was liable now for payment. This was in fact one of the notes presented to Murray by Thomas as payment of his debt to him. Part of the accounts presented by Lawrie included accounts on both sides which had been settled between the parties and also the following which had been sold to Thomas, and which Lawrie claimed showed only a small deficit.(30) 8th October 1819 256 gallons of rum?80/-/- 16 gallons of gin ?12/-/- 6 gallons of rum ?5/-/- one chest of tea ?14/-/ One box of soap ?2/5/- Horse hire 3 days ?1/10/- Cash paid to Mr Rob Campbell Jnr, being one moiety of the expenses of drawing mortgages. Deeds ?8/-/- ---------- ?1121/18/6 blankets ?1/10/- ?1121/18/6 The Courts agreed with Thomas Clarkson's book keeping an ordered Lawrie to pay up. CLASHES WITH THE CAMPBELLS During the entire year of 1819, as well as all the other litigations, Thomas was embroiled in a dispute with Robert Campbell and his son, Robert the younger. Robert Campbell, formerly of Greenoch, Scotland, was a merchant who arrived in Sydney . in 1798 on the ship "Hunter". He quickly established a trading business in buildings he erected on the Western side of Sydney Cove. As far back as 14 April 1813 Robert Campbell, the younger, had been awarded a judgement against Thomas Clarkson to recover debts of ?147/15/- plus costs. A writ of Fieri Facias was issued on 17 June 1814 to make up a levy of ?153/11/4 from Thomas' goods. It appears it was never executed and possibly some agreement was reached between Ref ??? If Only 51 Clarkson and Campbell at the time. However, the 12 September 1817 saw the same case back in court and another Fieri Facias writ issued that day, again in favour of Campbell.(31) On 8 January 1818 the debt was still unpaid. On 15 February 1819, Thomas Clarkson, builder, received notice to appear before the Supreme Court of Civil Judicature on the following day to answer the complaint of Robert Campbell, the younger of Sydney. Campbell was claiming damages of ?100.(32) It was alleged that on 13 October 1818, Thomas Clarkson of Hunter St, became liable for payment of a bill of exchange, due three months from that date and payable to Robert Campbell, for the sum of ?62/2/2. Though often approached and asked to make good his obligations to pay, Thomas Clarkson just kept promising. In addition Campbell claimed that by the 1 February 1819 Thomas was in debt to him for ?100 and that by December, that debt had reached ?300.(33) Thomas Clarkson, builder, was sued on the 17 April 1819 for the original ?100, and when he did not appear to respond to this, a writ of Capias was sworn out against him on 20 May by the combined Campbells, and Thomas was duly arrested.(34) This legal action included a Bill of Exchange for ?74/3/10 which Thomas Rowley had drawn and made over to Thomas Clarkson, and other debts which amounted to a total of ?800. Judgement was signed on 14 January in favour of the Campbells and Judge Barron Field ordered that they recover their debts. Thomas offered up his Warrant of Attorney to secure payment of ?559/9/4 with interest, computed from the day of the Warrant until 12 January 1820. and which said sum of ?559/9/4 is the same sum as mentioned in a certain indenture of … mortgage and which said mortgage together with the within Warrant of Attorney are to be void on payment of the said sum.(35) This was a desperate bid to secure the premises he had mortgaged to Campbell Junior on 12 November 1819 and could be regained up until 20 January 1820. This mortgage included; A11 that brick built lately erected and built by Thomas Clarkson at number 13 Hunter Street being the Corner of Hunter and Phillip Street, now in the tenure or occupation of Dr Lawrence Halloran.(36) As well, the three Pitt Street premises, numbers 71, 72 and 73 in the occupation of John Wood, James Mordant and Sarah Wilkinson were inclusions.(37) These had been purchased from George Guest by Thomas himself.(38) All this for ?559/9/4. Now secured! That left the residue to pay another day. Amid all of this, Thomas once again drew up a mortgage with Robert Campbell, this time in October 1819 and this took in the premises at the four corners of Hunter and Phillip Streets, "now in the occupation of Isaac Hood and his undertenants, together with all buildings".(39) For the pledging of this property, Campbell advanced him ?1104, subject to redemption of the said properties on payment of the money by 7 April 1820. On the 1st October a summons was issued from Campbell to recover ?50 on a Bill of Exchange which had been dated 27 January 1818 and "payable on a date now . past".(40) This bill was referred to in the case brought against Thomas by Murray in November when Murray had cause to state that he would have included it in his debts but that Thomas had already settled with Mr Campbell on that score. It was paid. On 9th December Thomas borrowed ?100 from Robert Campbell payable on request, yet "the said Thomas Clarkson although often requested hath not yet paid". The 52 Ref ??? If Only verdict given in the courts on this score was in favour of Campbell and a writ of Fieri Facias was issued on Thomas' goods.(41) The veer of 1819 had been one of legal battles but Thomas had managed to retain his properties and was able to brace himself for the arrival of 1820. His property list for 1820 was to include another rural acquisition. for on 20 September 1819 he had purchased 120 acres of land in the District of Cooke, at Bringelly, from Benjamin Johns. The land had been granted to Johns on 31 August 1819 and barely three weeks later Thomas contracted to lease the land for five years and to pay the 5/- quit rent. This transaction was witnessed by Capa Pass and George Jubb.(42) These 120 acres were bounded on the East, South, North and West by farms belonging to Hook, Ward, D'Arcy Wentworth and James Hassel respectively and the property was one which remained in Thomas' possession until he died.(43) Of all the emancipists holding land in 1820, Thomas Clarkson was recognised as having the second largest holding. His tenure of 2,150 acres was surpassed only by the 19,000 acres of Samuel Terry.(1) Of his other properties, although some had narrowly missed being lost in the many mortgages of the previous years, it would appear that at the beginning of 1820, most of Thomas' property remained intact, and were still in Thomas' ownership. IF ONLY he'd been able to consolidate his empire and completely clear his debts, perhaps at this point he would have been able to establish an enviable array of property, the development of which would have boosted him to the ranks of the other ex-convicts whose names were remembered - such as Simeon Lord and Mary Reiby, But Thomas continued to borrow and buy. Underwood v Clarkson 6 May 1020 I will cause to be put up and sold by Public auction op the premises in Hunter Street, Sydney on Friday next the 12th instant, at the hour of Twelve noon, by virtue of a writ of Fieri Facias issued from the Supreme Court, all that valuable Dwelling house, with the outbuildings and Appurtenances, now in the occupation and the property of the Defendant together with sundry articles of Household furniture and effects, also his property, unless the execution thereon be previously superseded.(2) Underwood was trying to recover a debt of ?501 and for this Thomas mortgaged his own home in Hunter St/Elizabeth St.(3) These premises were not sold and were included attain in other mortgages. In fact they were destined to become the only property the Clarkson's were able to retain from all of this, indicating that somehow Thomas was coping by being able to keep one step ahead of foreclosures. How long could it last? On 9 December 1819, Thomas had borrowed ?100 from Robert Cooper to be repaid on request.(4) Now, on 18 March 1820, Robert Cooper was complaining that in spite of the fact that Thomas had been repeatedly asked to settle the debt no payment had been made. A verdict was given for the plaintiff to whom Thomas offered up a Warrant of Attorney… .. to secure payment to the within named Robert Cooper of the sum of fifty . pounds--- besides the cost of suit --- but execution to be stayed for three months from the date thereof.(5) Another promise? In March 1820, Thomas was back before the courts to answer the suit of Solomon Levey. As well as being in arrears to Levey for ?200 for the purchase of various goods and merchandise, Thomas found himself caught at the end of the chain of an unpaid promissory 53 Ref ??? If Only note. This note had really done the rounds. It had been offered up and re-endorsed and handed onto the next holder a number of times before payment was finally required and called for. It happened like this… Robert Lathrope Murray (with whom Thomas had dealt previously) had "made his certain note in writing commonly called a Promissory note" on 28 May 1819 and promised to pay Thomas ?200 within 9 months.(6) Before the payment was due Thomas used the note "then and there redelivered the said note so endorsed" to Solomon Levey.(7) In turn Levey endorsed the note with his hand and passed it on to Robert Campbell the younger, who again, endorsed it and used it to pay John Lawrie. The final link in the chain became Robert Cooper, who accepted the once again endorsed note from Lawrie. All this within the 9 months time period on the first issue of the note. When the payment became due on 2 March 1820, the note was presented to it's original drawer, Robert Murray, who absolutely refused to pay as Thomas Clarkson was in debt to him at that time, so the buck passed to Thomas as the next in line. According to Levey's affidavit, Thomas promised to oblige, and since he was also in debt to Levey for a further ?200, he found himself at the mercy of the courts. Once again Thomas lost out and was required to produce the sum of ?400 plus costs.(8) On 22 March 1820, Thomas Clarkson, miller, engaged James Norton as his attorney and gave him his warrant to… receive a declaration for me in an action of debt for the sum of ?5000 at the suit of Robert Cooper and Solomon Levey and thereupon to confess the action and suffer judgement... (9) A judgement passed on this action on 20 October 1820 gave Cooper and Levey the right to recover their debt from Clarkson's property by 15 August 1821, unless payment was forthcoming.(10) The very same day (i.e.: 22 March 1820) Thomas effected a mortgage with the above mentioned parties for ?3,338/6/8 plus interest at the rate of 8 per cent per annum and due for settlement on 22 March 1821. This was witnessed by James Norton and James Foster.(11) This mortgage contained the entire Bunburry Curran and Minto lands at Campbelltown, plus: No 53 Phillip Street {a capital brick house built by Clarkson) No 13 Phillips Street (brick house lately erected by Clarkson) No 12 Phillip Street No 54 Phillip Street No 19 Phillip Street No 46 George Street on the Brickfields Hill (from Mary Lewis) No 1 Bent Street The dwelling at the corner of Hunter and Elizabeth Streets (at present under mortgage to Jas. Underwood.) A windmill grinding corn, in the joint interests of Thomas and Richard . Palmer. "And also that newly erected watermill with the land and premises adjoining, situate on the Botany Bay Stream and known by the name of the Macquarie Paper Mill". 54 Ref ??? If Only The new year must have been upon Thomas before he realised it and it was obvious that the mortgage was still outstanding. On 14 April 1821 the Sydney Gazette notified the inhabitants of an impending auction.(12) Cooper and Levey v Clarkson. To be sold by Public Auction at the Market Place, Sydney, on Friday the l8th day of May next, at the hour of eleven in the forenoon precisely, by virtue of a writ of Fieri Facias issued forth from the Supreme Court. This was to list all Thomas' rural properties at Bunburry Curran plus Lamb's Farm on the Hawkesbury. No's 53, 54, 13, 12, and 19 Phillip St, and No's 71, 72. and 73 Pitt St, No 46 George St. No 1 Bent St. A Hunter St premises (we believe this may be No 4) and the Windmill at Surrey Hills. The sale was postponed "by the mutual Approbation and consent of the Parties"(13) until Friday the 8 June, when Solomon Levey became the owner of No's 72 and 73 Pitt Street. On 25 October 1821 Levey sold these premises to James Chisolm, in trust for Susannah Tindale.(14) On Saturday 9 June 1821, the following notice was issued in the Sydney Gazette. "The property sold yesterday not being sufficient to cover the amount of the Decree and costs in this cause a further sale will take place on Friday the nd instant".(15) Offered up for sale this time were the two roomy well built premises No 54 Phillip St and No 4 Hunter St occupied by the defendant, the new stone built windmill on Surrey Hills and a number of horned cattle said to be of good quality.(16) From this Solomon Levey purchased No 54 and on 16 November 1821 he sold it to Ezekial Wood.(17) 23 June 1821. -- Sydney Gazette. Notice -- I will cause to be set up and sold to the highest bidder on Friday next, the 29th instant, that valuable premises in Phillip St No 53, Part of the property of the Defendant, at the risk of the late purchaser thereof, Mr John Lawrie, who has refused to ratify the Purchase made by him thereof at Public auction.(10) At the same time all the rural properties of Thomas Clarkson were once again advertised, including Lamb's Farm and the interest in Whitton's farm. Interestingly, the farms of Phelps, Shakley, Whittaker and Prentice were all described as being occupied by them whereas the others were listed as grants with original owners named. These properties all survived to see another day.(19) According to Bigge's report on Emancipist holdings on the Hawkesbury in 1820, John Everett and John Watson were tenants on farms held by Clarkson -- perhaps Lamb's Farm.(20) Obviously by the 10 August 1821, Thomas did not have sufficient funds to . pay off the mortgage to Cooper and Levey and so to give himself another 12 months respite he approached Daniel Cooper to give him a further mortgage on his holdings.(21) (It would be totally unfair to state that Thomas was not attempting to pay back the debts as the little evidence we can find on these accounts show he was truly doing just that.) For the sum of ?1,850 Thomas further mortgaged his Rural properties (and the list appears to encompass every one of them), and also the Inn at the corner of Hunter and 55 Ref ??? If Only Elizabeth Streets and the stone Windmill at Surrey Hills. The debt was subject to interest at 8 per cent and was due to be paid 10 August 1822 when on settlement of the stated amount Thomas would redeem his estate.(22) A COLONIAL SENTENCE Financial matters were not the only problem the Clarksons were to cope with that year. Catherine Clarkson, of whom little has been heard during all these events, found herself before the courts on 25 July 1821, to answer a charge of receiving stolen goods.(23) Margaret Roche, the wife of Edward Roche (of Thomas' Macquarie Street residence in 1817) had stolen wearing apparel from the home of Henry Kitchen, and had passed these on to Catherine. Both were found guilty and were served a sentence of 5 years transportation. A recommendation of mercy was entered up for Catherine.(24) It has been difficult to establish beyond a shadow of a doubt, whether Catherine actually served any of her sentence at the Coal River, as has been suggested. (A complaint against her son in law Michael Cook in later years by Robert Townson stated he believed she had served time there).(25) The fact that Margaret Roche actually went, is established through a petition from her husband, Edward, in 1825, pleading for a mitigation of her sentence, of which she had now served 4 years. Edward claimed to be suffering from a debilitating disease.(26) An official had added these interesting comments to the document Margaret Roche co-habits with W. Clarkson of Hunter Street… supported and co- habits at Newcastle with another man... has one child with her, one at the orphan school and has had another at Newcastle. The writer of the comments signed his name but it was too difficult to discern it.(27) In November Maj-Gen Thos. Brisbane arrived in Port Jackson and on the 1 December he assumed office as Governor of NSW. WHAT WAS ONCE MINE: 1822 It was becoming all too clear now that Thomas' possessions were being slowly gathered up by his creditors. The year of 1822 was to signal the beginning of the downslide in his financial affairs. The year had hardly begun before Thomas was back in the courts to face the suit of Joseph Ward. Ward had appealed to the Governor's Court against Thomas, claiming a debt of ?50 damages which he had incurred whilst trying to recover possession of a property he'd purchased from Thomas Prentice.(28) This was in fact the very same 50 acres that Thomas Clarkson had bought from Prentice in 1816.(29) "Gazumping" was a very common practise, even in the days of our colonial beginnings, and under the Old System of land settlement, double dealing thrived. This was the case here. As mentioned before, Prentice had sold his grant to Thomas Clarkson on 17 September 1816,(30) in fact Thomas was a witness to the surveying of the land and was later to state that Prentice had told the surveyor to "consider the land Clarkson's" It was acquired as a lease under a 5 year term and the indent was duly registered.(31) After these 5 years were expired Thomas would no doubt have been planning to buy the portion outright as he . had done with other allotments. But this was not to be, for on July 1819 Prentice sold the land to Joseph Ward for ?25 and it is this negotiation that appears in notation on the original deed of grant.(32) Ward received the deeds on 20 November 1819, thus making him a bona fide owner.(33) Thomas Clarkson refused to budge off the land so Ward resorted to court action to get his way.(34) This only incensed Thomas more. How dare Ward offer challenge to the 56 Ref ??? If Only land --"never having expended one shilling on it" when Thomas himself had cleared and fenced the grant at great personal expense.(35) Thomas felt he was "being got at". Thomas directed a memorial (letter) to Governor Brisbane on 22 February 1822 and in this he set out his humble reasons for considering his entitlement to the grant was the more valid. If indeed it must revert back to the Crown (as in actual fact it should, since the Alienation clause had been violated by both parties) then he should be more entitled to possession because of his efforts to improve the land. The loss of this land, he pointed out, would he to the ruin of himself and his very large family. The only reason he'd been interested in purchasing the land was it's close proximity to the house he had built on adjoining portion: a house which had cost him upwards of ?1500 Thomas' lengthy and very emotional letter must have fallen on dear ears for although the grant was later included in Clarkson' s mortgage to Cooper dated August 1822 we noted on the Primary Application, consulted by us during our investigations the land was officially recognised as being sold from Prentice to Ward. A notation on the original grant states "Ward and Clarkson in ejectment 1822". This appears to be the only indication that Clarkson was to lose the land in spite of his protests. Ward then released the land to Daniel Cooper in 1826 thereby indicating Ward gained possession of the grant in the end.(37) Perhaps the fact that Ward was a Police Constable in the Airds district may have added weight to his claim.(38) Back in Sydney, Thomas applied to have his licence to brew and vend beer renewed on 13 February 1822.(39) To the Worshipful bench of To the worshipful bench of Magistrates of Sydney assembled. The Respectful Memorial of Thomas Clarkson most respectfully Represents: That your Memorialist hath for a number of years conducted the business of Publican and Baker in this town and bath uniformly adhered to the regulations made and provided. That your Memorialist, having a numerous family to support has caused to be erected at considerable expense and on an extensive scale an establishment in order to Brew beer and which from his knowledge of the Business he Pledges himself to produce of a very superior quality provided your Worships will, taking into consideration his protected residence in this colony and the general tenure of his conduct be pleased to extend to him the indulgence of a licence to Brew and Vend Beer by retail, which if liberally bestowed, it shall be the duty of your Memorialist to afford general satisfaction. And your memorialist &S in duty will ever pray.. Hunter Street 13 February 1822. Catherine and Thomas were to refer frequently to their "numerous" and "very heavy family" in letters written to the various Government . Officials of the day. ------ p105 ------image ------ p106 ------ A muster taken in 1822 lists the family as follows;(40) Thomas, freed by servitude, arrived On Alexander, 14 years licensed Brewer, Sydney. 57 Ref ??? If Only Catherine, came free, colonial sentence 5 years, wife of Thomas. Sarah, 17 years Thomas, 11 years Mountford, 8 years Ann, 5 years Mary, 4 years Children of above. Catherine junior is listed with her husband, Thomas Rowley and their children at Liverpool, but a John Clarkson does not appear at all. The Clarksons of Hunter Street applied for the help of 2 convicts during 1822. Dennis Connelly who arrived on the "Tyne", and Richard Holden who was still in their employ in 1828, were assigned on the 2 September and 1 October respectively.(41) This was 1822, this was the year that was highlighted by financial troubles of a more lasting nature than earlier years had perceived. On 22 January, John Hickey of Sydney was sued by Thomas to recover ?10 owing on goods sold and delivered to him by Clarkson. Hickey confessed and asked for 21 days to Pay.(42) In May, Thomas Dillon was ordered to make good a ?10 debt owed to Clarkson. Since Dillon declared he was unable to provide the payment, his goods and chattels were to be sold. Unless he could otherwise find the means to settle the debt his 50 acre farm, 4 miles below the lower Branch of the Hawkesbury would be sold by the Sheriff (43) By the following November however, Dillon was in turn suing Clarkson to recover ?8 owed to him.(44) THE GHOST OF FISHER'S CREEK On the 20 May 1822, Thomas Clarkson, dealer, sold to Daniel Cooper(45) 30 acres of land which was part of a grant of 140 acres issued by the Governor to Joseph Phelps on 8 October 1816.(46) The land was situated at Airds (Campbelltown), bounded on the NE by McCudden's Farm, bearing SE to the Airds road and bounded by that road on the other two sides.(47) This land was to be the stage for an incident which has become part of the district's folklore. Joseph Phelps sold the land to Thomas Clarkson sometime prior to 1820 and Clarkson in turn sold the land to Daniel Cooper as part payment on a mortgage. The land was subsequently bought by Frederick Fisher (an ex-convict) who offered a brick building and a stone building already on the ground to the Government for use as a barracks. On the evening of 17 June 1826 Fisher left a Campbelltown Inn with his friends and was never seen alive again. His associate George Worrall, a ticket of leave man, with whom Fisher lived, said his friend had left the country suddenly to avoid a charge of forgery and had given him (Worrall) the authority to manage the farm in his absence. Worrall sold off some of the stock and offered to pay the debt on the property in exchange for the deeds to the land. Nothing was done about Fisher's disappearance for four months until a man named Farley, reported being terrified by the sighting of Fisher's "ghost". The ghost, he . claimed was sitting on the sliprails of a fence and was pointing to a spot in the paddock. On investigation, bloodmarks were noticed on the fence and with the aid of a blacktracker Fisher's body was found buried in the marshes near the creek. George Worrall was ultimately convicted of the murder and before his execution he confessed to having killed Fisher. The former owner of the property, Daniel Cooper was a witness at the trial.(48) 58 Ref ??? If Only Today the 30 acres fronts Queen Street right in the heart of Campbelltown and the spot where Fisher's body was found, lies under the main southern railway line. ------ p108 ------image ------ p109 ------ ONE MORTGAGE TOO MANY It was about mid 1822 when Daniel Cooper began to tidy up all the loose ends of Thomas Clarkson's affairs. The date for final payment on the current mortgage was almost due. On 9th and 10th of August respectively an indenture was drawn up from Thomas and Catherine signing over to Daniel Cooper all the lands owned by the Clarksons in the Airds/Minto area.(49) Cooper went to great pains to ensure Catherine's rights to the land were alienated along with Thomas', in equal parts. It was a common practice of Daniel Cooper to effect his negotiations with a clause which removed the right, through marriage, of the wife claiming any part of the estate as hers by "dower". Perhaps Daniel Cooper had misgivings about Catherine contesting the validity of the documents. Cooper appeared to include her to cover all angles and as time was to tell Catherine was to prove a tough adversary for him in later years. The Lease and Release of 1822 included all the lands originally granted to--- Pullen, Millington, Wilson, Johnson, Guise, Stubbs, Cureton, Yates, Berry, Cole, Dernsfield, Shakley, both of Clarkson's grants and also the 60 acre property of Thomas Rowley which had been conveyed to Clarkson. (no grant had been officially made to Rowley or Shakely at this stage) and the lot was sold outright for ?1,500. This document was destined to play a very important part in later developments. It was the only evidence that existed for the transfer of these farms. Robert Cooper was included in the mortgage as the third party. The reasons for this was as explained thus:(50) To the use of the said Daniel Cooper and his assigns during life and after determination of that estate by forfeiture or otherwise to the use of the said Robert Cooper his heirs and assigns during the life of the said Daniel Cooper in trust for the said Daniel Cooper during life to prevent the present or future wife of the said Daniel Cooper being entitled to her dower out of the said premises… Cooper certainly was aware of the trouble a woman could cause in a property settlement and he was protecting his gains twofold, once against Catherine Clarkson's claims and the other against his own wife. Ten days later Daniel effected another mortgage bearing the date of 20 August 1822, for the sum of ?1,775 plus interest, with a clause for redemption on payment of the debt, Thomas mortgaged Lamb's Farm, 120 acres of Benjamin Johns', his interest in the stone mill at Surrey Hills, his interest in Whitton's Farm, 50 acres purchased from Daniel Allen, Jas. Farrell's 60 acres, Samuel Fry's 50 acres and Chas. Stevenson's 50 acres. In addition was his own home in Hunter Street, the inclusion of which was to cause a furore later. Thomas promised a payment of ?151 sterling within 6 months by drawing up a promissory note for that amount.(51) Unfortunately after the expiration of that period of time he was unable to pay it all . and Cooper took him to the Governor's Court to recover the excess. (52) To this Clarkson replied I hereby confess this action and do consent that Judgement be entered up for the sum of forty pounds sterling besides costs of suit with a stay of execution for one month. Dated this 2nd May 1823 59 Ref ??? If Only Signed Thomas Clarkson Witness John Elmer A DOUBTFUL DEBT Early in 1823 the ship "Marshall Wellington" came to anchor in Sydney Cove. The master of the ship, on seeing his crew swarm ashore for leave, indemnified himself against all debts they may incur by publishing a notice in the Sydney Gazette stating he would not be responsible for the same.(53) This was the usual custom, and a necessary one, as it ensured the onus was placed on the inhabitants, if they gave credit to the seaman, to recover it from the perpetrator and not his master. On to these shores stepped young James Bee, an allegedly illiterate ship's cook. He made his way to the House of George Davey (an acquaintance of Thomas') where he proceeded to drink out his wages. As a result of this exercise he became so inebriated it was obvious he would need board and lodging for the night. This was offered to him by the host.(54) Early the next morning, urged by George Davey and Thomas Clarkson, he signed a promissory note for ?30. Davey made the note over to Clarkson, who presented it to the Ship's Captain for payment. He refused and the Captain immediately dispensed with the services of his poor cook. The unfortunate Bee found himself in custody and subsequently before the courts to face charges. James Bee claimed that the House of Henry Hart, run by George Davey had been recommended to him, and that Davey had invited him to eat at his establishment, which at intervals of sobriety, he did.(55) His shipmates had followed him to the same location and. having spent all their ready cash, would leave their debts on his account. He could support this if need be with the testimony of Edward Flaherty. Further, he claimed, Flaherty could be questioned in relation to the promissory note in question which, as Flaherty claimed, was organized and signed….(56) during the heat of the defendant's intoxication, in a kind of private apartment, in a clandestine manner and that another (note) which had beep drawn up by one Mr Flaming, being disapproved, had been destroyed. Bee was gaoled and left here in a strange country_ without sufficient funds to pay the arrears. The court considered the note more than a little suspicious, and rebuked Thomas Clarkson for not proceeding with the matter in the recognised way when dealing with sailors whose Captains had already advertised their indemnity of debts; the suit was dismissed.(57) The question remains though, was Thomas really the instigator of an attempt to extort money from poor drunken Bee or did Bee leave himself open to prosecution by incurring debts he couldn't pay? ------ p112 ------ Ironically Thomas Clarkson was to find himself in a similar predicament in May 1823. In retrospect it had all begun early in 1811. At this time Thomas had entered . into a "certain bond of obligation" by becoming a joint bondsman with one James Bowler of Windsor for the payment of the rent of the Turnpike between Parramatta and Windsor for one year.(58) The right to collect the tolls was put to auction and one Thomas Boulton became the purchaser and prevailed upon Clarkson and Bowler to share the payment of the rent of the same. 60 Ref ??? If Only Shortly after Bowler died, leaving Thomas Clarkson and Thomas Boulton partners in the debt. During the time he was operating the tolls, Boulton was gaoled for some misdemeanour and as he could not attend to the taking of the tolls, his finances deteriorated and he was unable to pay the rents. At the end of his yearly tenure of the Tolls, moves were made by the Trustees, D'Arcy Wentworth and Simeon Lord to recover the cost of the purchased Tolls. Since Boulton was in gaol and penniless, the proceedings against him were ineffectual and so on 15 March 1820, these charges were duplicated in suit against Thomas Clarkson, as surety, for the sum of ?155. On his release from gaol, Thomas Boulton joined William Stewart's survey expedition to Bateman's Bay and was allowed to leave the colony, unnoticed and unannounced and was consequently never heard of again. However, this was not the end of the issue, Wentworth and Lord, calculating that a debt of ?1,000 was owing on unpaid Tolls, directed their suit against Thomas Clarkson as the sole surety. Judgement to this effect was issued on 18 October 1820 leaving Thomas with the complete debt.(59) On 26 May 1823 Clarkson composed a long letter to the current governor, Sir Thomas Brisbane. In this he included a detailed account of the circumstances and claimed if ------------- detailed account of the circumstances and claimed if "Thomas Boulton had been detained from leaving the colony he would have eventually become able to discharge the whole of the said claim against him" thus indemnify Thomas. Now, threatened with the payment. Clarkson declared himself incapable of discharging the amount of such a judgement. Further, he declared, if payment were insisted of him, he was facing a gaol sentence and this would leave his very large family without means of support "deprived of his exertions to maintain them".(60) Little was Thomas, or any other member of his very large family to know that within a year they would be forced to struggle on without his support and efforts indefinitely. Within a year Thomas Clarkson would be dead. ------ p113 ------image ------ p114 ------ image Not long after his arrival in the colony in December 1821 Major General Thomas Brisbane gave priority to the issuing of Title Deeds, to owners of land previously granted or purchased, This was done in the hope of reducing disputes over land occupation or ownership. This change was put into practice in April 1822, and each deed issued contained a clause governing the standard of buildings to be erected thereupon. Perhaps this inspired Thomas Clarkson to compose his twin memorials to the new Governor on 26 February 1824, These letters contained a request for the granting of the deeds of several of his premises --- namely one in Goulburn St, another in Pitt St and one for his own home in Hunter St.(1) That your Excellency's Memorialist has built a good and commodious dwelling house of stone and lime of 2 storeys high situated in Hunter Street No 6. . Bounded on the East by Mr Shaunnesey's premises, on the South side by Mrs Muckle's premises and on the West by Elizabeth Street. Memorialist therefor humbly solicits Your Excellency to be pleased to grant him the deeds for the said premises For such mark of favour Memorialist and family as in duty bound will pray 61 Ref ??? If Only That your memorialist has purchased 2 allotments of ground some time ago. Situated one in Goulburn Street and the other in Pitt Street in the Brickfields --- Memorialist therefore humbly begs leave to solicit Your Excellency's clemency on this head to grant him the necessary documents for the same-- and begs to state he will strictly conform to the Government and General's Order in erecting buildings thereon when some same rule be notified -- for such mark of favour memorialist and family as in duty bound will pray. On 1 July 1828, Thomas had made over by deed poll, to William Sullivan of Sydney, a piece of land in Goulburn Street, It was adjoining the property Clarkson refers to in his memorial above. It was Bounded on the East by Holden's ground, on the South by Goulburn Street and on the West by Ley's allotment and on the North by ground now in the possession of Thomas Clarkson.(2) 1823 was shaping up to be a very heavy year for Thomas Clarkson in the field of financial dealings. He was busy recovering debts owed him, but all appear to be on a small scale. In view of the fact that he was faced with a ?1,000 debt to the Toll Trustees (a legacy of his association with Boulton) and had a running tally of ?3,000 owing to Daniel Cooper, his financial situation was truly not enviable. A judgement dated 18 December 1822 was issued against Thomas at the suit of Daniel Cooper for that very ?3.000 and a writ of Fieri Facias was issued for the sheriff to recover the debt from the goods and chattels of Thomas Clarkson.(3) In other words his possessions were to be auctioned. This auction was never put to the auctioneer's hammer during the lifetime of Thomas Clarkson but reasons for this were not to become clear until after his death. On 6 March 1824 "being much indisposed and weak of body", Thomas Clarkson turned his attentions to his final transaction, that of his Will. Time had run out.(4) "In the name of God Amen, I Thomas Clarkson of Hunter Street in the territory of NSW Common Brewer, being much indisposed and weak of body but of sound mind, memory understanding and considering the certainty of death and the uncertainty of time thereof Do make, publish and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say) I give, devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife Catherine Clarkson and my son in law and friend Thomas Rowley of Banks Town near Liverpool in the said Territory, Yeoman, All my freehold land and tenements situate lying and being in any part of the territory of NSW or elsewhere in possession, reversion, expectancy or wherein I have right or equity of redemption and also all other my real and personal Estate and effects of whatever nature or kind soever or wheresoever within the territory aforesaid or elsewhere To hold the same unto the said Catherine Clarkson and Thomas Rowley, their heirs., executors and administrators forever upon the trusts nevertheless and to and for the uses intents and purposes herein after mentioned and for no other use intent or purpose whatsoever (that is to say) to allow my said wife Catherine Clarkson to receive and take the rents issues and profits arising from the leasing or letting of all my freehold Farms or lease hold houses situate as aforesaid during her natural life for her support and the . support and education of my younger children and from and immediately after her decease that the said Thomas Rowley his heirs, executors or assigns do and shall sell and dispose of all my freehold and leasehold estates and divide the monies arising from the sales thereof, equally share alike amongst my sons and daughters namely John Clarkson, Thomas Clarkson. ------ p117 ------ image 62 Ref ??? If Only ------ p118 ------ image Mountford Clarkson, Catherine Clarkson, Sarah Clarkson, Ann Clarkson and Mary Clarkson or the survivors of them, his, her or their heirs executors administrators or assigns, when they shall respectively attain the age of twenty one years or days of marriage which shall happen first after the demise of my said wife Catherine. And after all my just debts and funeral expenses are paid and satisfied, I devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Catherine, all my household furniture, beds, bedding, plate china, monies, securities for monies, Bills bonds in book and other debts belonging or owing me by any other person or persons residing within the said territory or elsewhere to and for her own separate use and disposal forever. And I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my wife Catherine Clarkson Executrix and Thomas Rowley Executor of this my last will and testament contained on two sheets of paper, to the first sheet having set my hand and to the last my hand and seal and I do hereby revoke and make void all other and final will and wills by me at any time heretofore made, declaring this to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the sixth day of March in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and twenty four. Sealed Published and declared by the said Thomas Clarkson as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who have hereunto set our names as witness in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other-- James Wild Will. Oldfield Thomas ????" The lack of specific details regarding Thomas' holdings gives us no indication of what he, himself felt he owned. Nor does it show whether he was aware of the exact amount of debts he'd run up and whether he understood the consequences his family would endure as a result of his mismanagement. His estate was valued at ?1.000. Two weeks later, on 20 March 1824 Thomas Clarkson died.(5) His death was registered in the parish records of St Phillip's Church as follows: No 1014 Thomas Clarkson, free, aged 66 years, deceased 20 March interred 22 March 1824 Gone was Thomas Clarkson, Emancipist, baker, dealer, builder, miller, landholder, landlord, friend and family man. He had spent eighteen eventful years in this new land. NOT TO REST IN PEACE Thomas Clarkson had been dead barely a fortnight when a writ of Fieri Facias, outstanding from the judgement of December 1822 and dated 2 9 January 1824 was put into force. A notice in the Sydney Gazette announced the sale of ... "all the following valuable lands and premises:"(1) 1) A farm containing 70 acres or thereabouts situated in the district of Mulgrave P1ace, originally granted to Henry Lamb. 2} A fare containing 120 acres, more or less situate in the district of Cooke, originally granted to Benjamin Johns. . 3) That piece or parcel of land, being one half of a moiety of a farm, called Whitton's Farm situate in the district of Wilberforce. 4) All that capital stone built messuaqe or tenement, with the yard, garden, offices, and stores, thereto belonging, situate at the corner of Hunter and Elizabeth St in Sydney, late the residence of the defendant. (Thomas). 63 Ref ??? If Only 5) The owner's interest in a certain windmill situate on, or adjoining the Surrey Hills and East of the New gaol.(2) 6) Also a cottage or dwelling house of the defendant's formerly belonging to H Printz and now in the occupation of James Sly, situate at the extremity of George St on Brickfield Hill. 7) Also all the defendant's household furniture and brewing utensils. The several properties were to be sold separately "for the benefit of the Estate" until enough money was raised to satisfy the levy imposed by the Courts. A week later, Catherine Clarkson of Hunter St, petitioned the Governor, to assign to her, a convict by the name of James Farrell, at present in Government employ at Emu plains.(3) I humbly request, that you will be pleased to accede to such assignment of the said James Farrell, as a Government servant to me. I have recently Sir been left a widow with a large family, and this man may be extremely serviceable to myself and fatherless children on which account I most respectfully solicit, Sir that you will have the goodness and humanity to direct that he may be assigned to me. On 9 August 1824, Catherine's daughter, Sarah, married the father of her twins, Michael Cook, at St Luke's Church, Liverpool. Interestingly, one of the witnesses was James Farrell.(4) Michael Cook, a convict himself, arrived in the colony in 1817.(5) He was assigned to Thomas Rowley and had worked for him on the Clarkson properties until 1822. He was then employed by Rev. Reddall(6) until 1824 when he received his freedom.(7) In 1822 Sarah gave birth to his twins, Charlotte and Martha.(8) The reasons for their waiting to get married until after Thomas' death are not clear, although Sarah's age or Michael's freedom could have some bearing on that decision. Or perhaps Thomas may have been the stumbling block here as there was mention of Michael stealing porks from him at one time.(9) Michael appeared to get on with Catherine though, and was accused in 1826 by Robert Townson of supplying her with stolen flour.(10) In any case, the young couple were united a few months after Thomas died. In May the sheriff advertised that he intended to sell the Clarkson home, by auction, on 5 June 1824, unless settlement of the debt owed Cooper was met.(11) As well as the payments already realised. Daniel Cooper claimed a further ?1,000 which he intended recouping. It was this assault on her home that began the long torrid fight that Catherine put up for the "Woodman". She held tight to her home and refused to release it without a battle, and what a battle it turned out to be! By mid June 1824, Cooper approached the courts to settle the matter, and immediately the various court officials began collecting the past documents on the preceding actions between the two parties.(12) William Freeman, clerk to Thomas Dean Rowe, (who was the attorney for the executors of Thomas Clarkson's Will) found a loophole which he submitted to the court in the hope of canceling the proceedings on a point of irregularity.(13) . He claimed the judgement of 1822 had ordered a writ of Fieri Facias to be executed, but on examining the writ, it appeared that no date or amount of levy had been entered upon it. On further examination of the writ in the Provost Marshall's Office though, it showed an amount of ?1,926/3/8 had been levied on 5 April 1824. That writ showed a date of issue as being 29 January 1824 and had been lodged with the Provost Marshall on 15 March but … 64 Ref ??? If Only the same does not appear to have been executed until the 5th April 1824 a period of 16 days after the death of Thomas Clarkson.(14) ------ p125 ------ image It also showed ?926/3/8 had been repaid but ?1,000 was still owing and this was the amount in contention at the time. This amount was left after Paying off the mortgage amount and Mr Norton's fees. (the solicitor) The attorney representing Catherine Clarkson and Thomas Rowley, as executors of Thomas' Will, was Mr Thomas Deane Rowe, and in view of the above irregularity of proceedings he made application for the action to be set aside. This was agreed to by the courts and the officials then ordered Daniel Cooper to show lust cause why the writ of execution issued upon the judgement sinned in this cause, together with all subsequent proceeding} had thereupon, should not be set aside for irregularity - -- and that all Proceedings on the said writ be, in the meantime, stayed.(15) If proceedings had been halted at this point perhaps Thomas' family would have felt the benefits of his efforts, but it was not to be. Daniel Cooper appeared before the Court as ordered, to explain the reason for the delay in executing the writ.(16) Cooper explained that Thomas Clarkson had signed a Warrant of Attorney to cover the amount of a mortgage transacted between the two parties on 20 August 1822. In return, Cooper lent Clarkson ?1,775 and appointed 20 December 1823 as the final date for repayment.(17) On that very day. Thomas approached Cooper appealing for an extension of time in which to make good his payment, claiming he was .... "then engaged in a very lucrative business, and that if this deponent (Cooper) would give him some indulgence in the payment of the said money, he the said Thomas Clarkson, should be enabled to make the same up without the sale of his property".(18) In order to give Thomas the chance to meet his debt in this manner, i.e.: so he would avoid the loss of his property, Cooper claimed he agreed to let the judgement lie over from 20 December 1823 until the date it was finally put into force. In support of this. James Hankinson, a Sydney baker, swore that he was well acquainted with Thomas Clarkson and could recall a certain conversation with him about May or June last. (1823) It concerned the renting of the stone mill, near the site for the new goal. Thomas had said his interest in the mill was concerned with his farms and other property, which was mortgaged to Daniel Cooper. . ------ p127 ------ image ------ p128 ------ Furthermore, Thomas told him he was greatly indebted to Cooper and that he'd just managed to get Daniel to delay the execution of his property. He was greatly concerned with raising the money to pay the interest owing Cooper, and that he was hopeful that the "great profits of his brewery would enable him, in tine, to pay off the principal sum secured by the mortgage"(19) . After reading the Affidavits of both sides, the court ruled that the irregularity had been satisfactorily explained and that the action should proceed forthwith to recover the excess that Daniel Cooper claimed Thomas still owed. The writ referred to had secured the payment of the mortgage and the Attorney's fees but Cooper maintained there was an excess still owing of ?1,000.(20) 65 Ref ??? If Only It was at this point that relationships between Cooper and Catherine Clarkson became so strained that they reached breaking point. Catherine refused to commit herself to this further debt, having lost so much already, and in any case. she was claiming that Cooper had been well and truly paid and that according to an account she'd found among Thomas' effects, it appeared that Cooper actually owed Thomas a small amount of money. Catherine demanded that Cooper's books be examined. Cooper closed all the accounts between himself and the Clarksons and refused to negotiate any further.(21) Catherine clung to her home and anything else she could salvage. At this stage Catherine decided it was time to form alternative plans. Her security and that of her family was of the greatest concern and alternate measures for accommodation had to be at least considered. She sent a letter (a petition) to Governor Brisbane on 2 September 1824 requesting the granting of a small portion of land "(in trust) for the benefit of herself and family ... in such unlocated place as to your Excellency may term meet". She described herself as being Thomas Clarkson's widow and left with a very heavy family of seven. She stated she had a small stock of horned cattle and was anxious to enter the agricultural side of life. She received a character witness from Thomas Moore, of Liverpool. and Robert Cartwright also added his endorsement.(22) Towards the end of December 1824, the Governor, Major General Sir Thomas Brisbane, and his officious Colonial Secretary Frederick Goulburn were recalled to England (partly through their continuous quarrelling) but they were not to leave until December 1825. - Because of all this internal political squabbling, Catherine's petition was not dealt with immediately and she was to find she had to continually follow it up to get any action. Unfortunately by that time Brisbane had left for England. (sailing through the Bass Strait and thereby proclaiming the separation of NSW and Van Dieman's Land by doing so), and Major General Ralph Darling who took up office on 18 December 1825, was left to finish off the negotiations and all Catherine was left with, was the promise of the land. ------ p129 ------ image The Sydney Gazette of 3 March 1825 ran an advertisement offering the letting of a premises which was unmistakably Thomas Clarkson's.(23) WINDMILL TO LET --- That large and commodious Stone Built WINDMILL (formerly Clarkson's) adjoining the New Gaol. Has an excellent Dressing Machine and the whole in the very best Order. Immediate possession may be had. For further particulars apply to Mr Walker Hunter Street. It was just over a year since the property was included in the Sheriff's sale of Thomas' goods. A survey map of South Head Road, drawn up in 1828 locates the 5 acres of land "East of Woolloomoolloo'' and in the vicinity of what is now bounded by Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst Road, William Street and Forbes Street.(24) A muster of the inhabitants of the colony taken in 1825 lists the Clarkson . family as follows:(25) Thomas freed by servitude Alexander 1806 7 yrs Died 1824 Sydney Catherine free Alexander 1806 Widow Thomas B.C. 17 son of Widow Clarkson Mountford B.C. 13 " " " " Ann B.C. 11 Daughter of Widow Clarkson 66 Ref ??? If Only Mary B.C. 9 " " " " Martha B.C. 7 " " " " Charlotte B.C. 4 1/2 " " " " The last two names entered under the Clarkson family are actually Sarah Cook's twins. These twins also appear again in the muster under the name of Cook with their correct ages of 4 years. Sarah Cook is not listed at all, only their brother Thomas and father Michael Cook, all resident at Liverpool. The above muster showing Martha's age as 7 years is obviously incorrect, as was Thomas', who was 15 at the time, and Mary who was 7. In January 1825 Thomas Rowley and Catherine Clarkson were served a writ of Fieri Facias for the ?1,000.(26) They quickly realised that the only means of raising the money was by the sale of the "Woodman" and it was this property which was in danger of being auctioned. In her desperate bid to retain her home, Catherine turned to William Charles Wentworth for help. Wentworth set about clearing up some of the debts that were still owing to Thomas, small though they were, they would all add up. He sent letters to Mr George Smith of Windsor requesting settlement of a debt of ?10/-/-, threatening court action if the payment was not forthcoming.(27) In similar fashion, a letter went out to Mr Capa Pass, giving notification of a debt of ?48/6/4 which required immediate attention to Payment. This matter proceeded to court and on the 19 May 1826, before Justice Stephen, Catherine and Thomas Rowley recovered their debt.(28) Catherine was still not happy with Daniel Cooper's accounts and was pressing to have them examined. When she persisted with the claim that Cooper had been paid in full. William C. Wentworth decided to approach the defiant Daniel Cooper, who had not taken the accusation that it was he who owed Thomas money, at all lightly, and was still refusing to re-open his accounts to Catherine. Letters began passing between Wentworth and Cooper's Attorney in a bid to alleviate the situation.(29) Macquarie Place 10 November 1025 Mr Daniel Cooper left at the Waterloo Warehouse I have been applied to by Mrs Clarkson with respect to a compulsory settlement of some old outstanding accounts between you and her late husband, She says that she is ignorant of some of the gross items of that account and that she believes you to have been already over paid although she is aware that a balance has been struck between her attorney and yours which brings her late husband in your debt to the amount of ?1000 --- Mrs Clarkson desires to open your account with her husband from beginning to end and it is my opinion that a court of Equity will give her this benefit. A suit in Equity however will be better avoided perhaps by both parties; and I have therefore on her behalf to propose that this business be left to the arbitration of me on her part and any person that you may name on yours, with an understanding that the late Mr Clarkson's accounts with you are fully . to be gone into and with further understanding that if the arbitrators should differ on any points they shall call in an umpire. I am Sir, Your Obedient Servant W C Wentworth ------ p132 ------ The reply was relayed to the Clarksons as follows: (30) 67 Ref ??? If Only Macquarie Place 15 November 1825 Mrs Clarkson Hunter Street Delivered personally I beg to inform you that I have seen Mr D. Cooper and also his Solicitor Mr Norton on the subject of the letter which I wrote at your insistence proposing to reopen the accounts between your late husband and Mr Cooper and to submit all matters in dispute to arbitration. Mr Cooper accedes to your proposal provided you can get anyone of respectability except your son in law Mr Rowley to join with you in a Bond to be accountable for what the arbitrators may award Mr Cooper. I am Madam Your Obedient Servant W.C. Wentworth On 1 December 1825 Wentworth consulted with Catherine on the contents, and replies to the two letters lately despatched to Daniel Cooper and his Attorney on the subject of re-opening the accounts. The outcome was a letter delivered to James Norton (Cooper's Solicitor) informing him: (31) ...That Mrs Clarkson is willing to leave all matters in dispute to your arbitration and mine with an understanding that whatever balance may be found to exist against her is to be by mortgage on the premises which she now holds payable by such installments and at such periods as the arbitrators shall appoint. By the 23 December, Wentworth was still awaiting a reply. ------ p133 ------ So began the first of a long chain of disputes between the devisees of the Will of Thomas Clarkson and Daniel Cooper. The desperate battle for the "Woodman" was resumed with renewed vigour. Daniel Cooper decided to approach the courts in the hope that they could provide a "remedy" for the situation at hand and the courts, "being willing that what is just in this behalf should be done",(1) ordered Catherine Clarkson and Thomas Rowley to appear before the Supreme Court at Sydney on 7 January 1826 to answer why Daniel Cooper should not be entitled to proceed against them to collect the remaining ?1,000 owed him. Cooper was complaining that at the time the writ was issued the executors of Thomas' Will "had divers goods and chattels which were of the said Thomas Clarkson deceased" in their possession and should have settled the residue of the debt with the sale of those. A judgement on 26 May 1826 gave a verdict for Cooper.(2) The Sydney Gazette of 26 January 1826 announced the letting of what appears to be Thomas Clarkson's Stone Mill; To Bakers and the Public. The undersigned having rented and taken possession of the -Stone Mill on the South Head Road, it is now open for the reception of wheat for the purpose of grinding. The advertisement was inserted by Andrew Frazer, a long time associate of Thomas Clarkson.(3) By the end of 1826 however, Catherine was still resident at Hunter Street. An . advertisement advised her intent to receive goods and letters for conveyance by a newly commenced courier service, run by William Boyle and Thomas Casey. "quickness will be our study, contained with care and punctuality in the delivery of such goods and parcels as we may be favoured with".(4) ------ p134 ------ image 68 Ref ??? If Only Thomas Clarkson's children sold the WOODMAN to James Holt in 1841. 1842 a licence was issued to Thomas Hill for the hotel known as the SIR MAURICE O'CONNELL. The following year John Wilson obtained the licence and held it until 1845. In 1853 it was held by William Baxter and the following year it passed to John Robinson. James Holt sold the property to William carpe in 1857. The licence then became John Thomas Soloman's in 1860. That year it was situate on the corner of Hunter & Elizabeth. Sts, back from the street and boasted an old fashioned swinging sign depicting the portrait of a general in uniform. Its popular host was John Thomas Soloman, who, together with his elder brother, ran the Inn. The picture above shows the inn at that time. ------ p135 ------ Early in 1827, Catherine sought the help of one Stephen Stock. He was an interesting character who, because of his convict background and aspirations to having a knowledge of the legal system, was not highly respected by the members of the Colonial Secretary's Office. He had worked as a clerk in the Office of the Surveyor General and was thought to have used his position to assume knowledge of transactions and to have induced people into thinking he could advise them. Even worse, he had a colonial conviction.(5) Such was the thinking of a lot of the free inhabitants in the colony regarding the convicts. It appears that now this "scoundrel" was advising Catherine Clarkson. Under his direction she decided to convey the ownership of the "Woodman", (which she had always maintained was hers independently) from her hands to her sons. On 2 May 1827, "out of the natural love and affection which the said Catherine Clarkson beareth him", Catherine conveyed to Thomas Junior, that parcel of land situate in Elizabeth and Hunter Streets and also the dwelling house upon it known as the sign of the "Woodman". This included the brewery and all other edifices etc., on the land. It was subject to the payment of 10/ weekly to each of his sisters, Mary and Ann, who were still living at home.(6) The other deed of gift was made to Mountford Clarkson and included the malthouse at the rear of the "Woodman" and also the ground used as a garden at the rear of the malthouse situated in Elizabeth Street. This cost Mountford 5/- and was given with the same sentiments that the conveyance to Thomas Jnr, carried. (This was actually the land that was alleged was given to Mountford by Richard Harding. Both conveyances were witnessed by Stephen Stock, Michael McCauliffe and Thomas Clarkson's old friend, George Davey (of the James Bee incident).(7) Strangely enough, these memorials were not registered until 17 October 1831. In spite of this official change of ownership, Catherine still appeared to be in control of the premises. In 1830 the licence to retail Wine, Malt and Spirituous Liquors was issued in the name of the lady herself.(8) Taking into account the respective ages of the two boys to whom Catherine conveyed the premises, the whole exercise could be viewed as an attempt to switch ownership in order to give the boys a legal right to the property. . Thomas would have been 17 and Mountford 15 years of age. ------ p136 ------ image ------ p137 ------ In 1828 the Sydney Gazette of 3 February ran an advertisement for the letting of the Mill, which had been auctioned off just days after Thomas Clarkson's death.(9) To Millers Bakers and Others 69 Ref ??? If Only To Let, for a term of Two years. That well known mill, on the South Head load, built by Clarkson attached to which there is a Dwelling House consisting of 3 good apartments, a garden of an acre of ground (fertile) and water in abundance in all seasons; the whole comprises 4 acres of land and a good run for cattle. The only reason for letting the said mill. is that the present occupier has established himself in another business at the Residence of the late Mr E. Fraziar, (sic) Rocks to where apply the undersigned Charles Pinqston. Cambridge Street Sydney PAYNE'S HILL It appears that sometime around 1828 land belonging to Thomas Rowley, (and formerly in his father's possession) came under control of Catherine Clarkson. On 23 July 1828 she issued a warning in the Sydney Gazette, to the effect that she was prepared to prosecute anyone caught trespassing upon a farm known as Payne's Hill in the district of Bankstown.(10) . Payne's Hill was a parcel of land containing 700 acres, bounded partly by Harris Creek and had been originally granted, in part, to Rowley's father, the late Thomas Rowley, Esquire, who died in 1806.(11) Three years later, in 1831, Thomas Rowley was declared insolvent and just 4 days prior to this announcement, Catherine Clarkson conveyed, as a deed of Gift, a package of land which was once the property of the late Thomas Rowley Esquire to her daughter, Catherine, now Thomas Rowley's wife. (13) The land included 680 acres at Harris Creek, Bankstown. part of the original Rowley grant of 1804; 60 acres adjoining it, originally granted to William Baxter in 1799 (and then sold to Rowley Snr): 110 acres known as Gilbert's Farm, originally granted to Ann Gilbert in 1799 and by her conveyed to Thomas Rowley; and 30 acres, part of Michael Murphy's grant. Again Stephen Stock was to figure in the transaction, registering the deed himself. Curiously, just four days before she made out her will in 1839, Catherine Clarkson conveyed, by lease and release all the same property back to Thomas Rowley for ?500.(14) This leaves us wondering whether the whole exercise had not purely been a ruse to prevent Thomas losing his assets through unpaid debts with financiers such as Daniel Cooper (with whom Rowley was dealing). Was the insolvency a convenience and were Catherine and Thomas Rowley guilty partners in this manipulation of ownership? In November 1828, a Census, as opposed to the musters that had previously been taken in the colony, was collected of the details of all the inhabitants. The Clarkson entries were as follows: (15) Catherine aged 30, came free on the "Alexander" 1805. (sic) She claimed to be a publican and a printer and lived in Hunter Street. Thomas aged 18, born in the colony. Anne, aged 13, born in the colony. Mary aged 10, born in the colony. . Mountford aged 16, born in the colony. Mountford was apprenticed to Chas. Roberts, a cabinetmaker in Castlereagh Street. At the time Charles Roberts had four apprentices (including Mountford) all aged between 15 and 17 years of age.(16) The Clarkson household at the time of the census was indeed a large one. It included lodgers, family members, servant help and employees.(17) 70 Ref ??? If Only William Fleming-- aged 39. Freed by servitude. He arrived on the "Boyd" in 1809 to serve a life sentence. Fleming was an attorney by profession. Edward Franks-- aged 39, Freed by servitude. He arrived on the "Marshall Wellington". William Benslev-- aged 10, born in the colony. Martha and Charlotte Cook-- aged 6. Thomas Rowley-- aged 10. Isabella Rowley-- aged 8. John Rowley-- aged 6. (the children were also listed with their own families) Richard Holden-- aged 30, freed by servitude. He had been in the employ of the Clarkson's since 1822. Elizabeth Richardson-- aged 19, born in the colony. She was a servant in Catherine's employ. Catherine Ryan-- aged 25, a Government servant. She arrived on the "Brothers" to serve 7 years. Joseph Smith aged 54, freed by servitude. He had arrived on the "Hillsborough" to serve 7 years. (we wonder if this is the same Joseph Smith who sold Thomas the land around Phillip Street. William Moore- aged 30, a Government servant who arrived On the "Neptune". In addition, the name of Lawrence Butler, aged 16, a printer who was born in the colony, appears with the rest. Not long after the census was taken, Lawrence Butler left Catherine to become apprenticed to a Mr Hill. Before the end of the month, he had absconded to Lake George. On 5 February 1829, a notice in the Sydney Gazette announced that Catherine Ryan, 5 feet 1 inches. dark eyes. light brown hair and fair complexion, had absconded from Catherine Clarkson of Sydney.(18) The property listing for 1828 shows no property for Catherine Clarkson, only the possession of two horses. It would appear that in just four years the empire Thomas had built up was reduced to two horses and a home under threat of "takeover". The years of 1827 and 1828 had seen Catherine repeatedly petition the Colonial Secretary to grant her the deeds for the property she was occupying in Hunter Street.(19) Mr Norton, (Cooper's attorney) requested that she not be given them as Cooper and Levy had a mortgage on the property. Again in 1828 Catherine applied and by 1831 the Colonial Secretary's Office had received several requests from various sources, all requesting the granting of the deeds, Catherine, Thomas and Mountford all applied in their turn.(20) It was at this stage that some Official noticed that the petitions all seemed to be written in the same handwriting, that of Stephen Stock. Here began an attack on his credibility and comments expressing this were penned on one of the letters. Finally by 1831 it was the official opinion that a deed would be drawn up and held over until a claimant could show a legal title. In other words they knew a dispute was looming and they hoped that by the time the Surveyor General made his way to that part of the town where the property was situated, he would be able to report the proper claimant.(21) . All the while Catherine continued to block the action to execute the writ of Fieri Facias which would ultimately see the demise of her home. This was not to be given up without a tremendous struggle, it was all she had. THE PICKERINGS On the 28 July 1828, an amusing case presented itself to the courts in the person of Catherine Pickering, who was complaining about the breaking of a pane of glass in one of 71 Ref ??? If Only her shop windows by a large stone thrown by a "native youth, not yet out of his apprenticeship". Mrs Pickering, "a dame of some repute in Sydney Town… an imperious matron, something better than five feet high" stated she was preparing to retire to bed on Sunday night about 9 or 10 o'clock, "and was laying aside her flannel petticoat" when a large stone was thrown through her window. She immediately gave chase after the culprit but couldn't catch him. Nevertheless, she recognized him as young Clarkson whom she claimed frequented her shop and was a friend of her son's.(22) "May you not be mistaken in the person of the Defendant?" "My dear sir, don't I know young Clarkson as well as the babe that sucked me?" A large swig of Scotch followed this last statement. This being her only evidence and a witness being found to swear Clarkson was with him all that evening, the case was dismissed and "the parties left the Office talking to each other with all their might and main".(23) The "young Clarkson" in question could have been either Thomas or Mountford. Catherine Pickering herself had, in 1823, incurred a colonial sentence of 3 years, having been found guilty of "felonious1y stealing goods to the value of 25/- in the Dwelling House of Ann Waterhouse" and was transported for 3 years.(24) (To another NSW penal settlement). In November 1828, Catherine Clarkson took one Charles Puckering to court to recover ?50 which she claimed he owed her for "divers goods. wares and merchandise". Due to the evidence of 2 witnesses for the defendant, Catherine lost the suit, even though one of the witnesses, was found guilty of perjury and transported, and the other bound over to face charges of a similar nature. Catherine was ordered to pay the costs which she claimed she did but Charles Pickering told the Sheriff not to pay the money to his solicitor or himself and this left her liable to a counter prosecution from Pickering for unpaid debts. This suit Pickering lodged against Catherine in 1830 but the courts ordered him to explain why the money could not be accepted by his attorney as offered. Such were the wiles of the early colonials. Catherine could have been excused for believing that "Life wasn't meant to be easy".(25) Throughout the entire time that Catherine fought for the only home she had lived in since arriving in the colony, she was to claim that it was not Thomas' property but hers, and therefore should not have been included in any mortgage that he effected. Finally the courts called in the assessors to satisfy the points in dispute. Before Judge Dowling and his assessors, Messers Manning and McPherson, the mortgage on the house known as the sign of the "Woodman" was considered in its entirety from the commencement of action in 1822.(26) Dr Wardell, acting on behalf of Catherine and Thomas Rowley (as defendants) contended that "the testator, (Thomas Clarkson) being a felon attaint, could not enjoy any civi1 rights."(27) and as a result could not effect a mortgage on the premises. This objection was overruled. In a Special Verdict handed down as a result of these proceedings. the . following facts were acceded to: 1) That the court recognised that Catherine HAD purchased the land from Parks. 2) That extensive improvements in building a Brewery and other conveniences were made upon the purchased grounds. ------ p141 ------ image 72 Ref ??? If Only 3) That the nature of the land purchased from Parks to Catherine was unknown and that the assessors would lave the right of title to the court to decide. 4) That there WAS a mortgage and that a verdict in this respect was found for Daniel Cooper. A judgement to this effect was handed down and signed on 10 September 1831. Daniel Cooper was to recover his ?1,000 debt plus ?114/9/1 costs from Catherine and Thomas, "and the said Daniel Cooper have execution thereof and the said Catherine Clarkson, No Mercy". The money was to be available to Cooper on 10 October next. ENTER JAMES HOLT In July 1831, Daniel Cooper (part of the Cooper and Levey partnership) suddenly closed his George Street Warehouse, called in all his debts and announced his intention to leave for Hobart Town. The Sydney Herald of July 1831 reported; Mr D. Cooper, having proceeded to Hobart Torn in the ship "Waterloo" on a speculation which required secrecy, has given rise to a report very prejudicial to his interest; viz; that he has clandestinely left the colony in consequence of his being embarrassed in circumstances, the result has been a run on his house for payment of Waterloo notes and many persons refuse to receive them in payment. The return of Mr Cooper, which is expected in two months will without doubt remove those false impressions. Daniel cooper was not to return at all. He proceeded to England, where he remained until his death in 1853. The same issue of the Herald carried Cooper's announcement that he had given his Power of Attorney to his - associate James Holt, "he having received full power" (to carry on the business of Cooper and Levey) for a few months. It was signed; "Daniel Cooper, Waterloo Warehouse, June 23, 1831" (29) On 15 October 1831, the writ on the Hunter Street property was executed and James Holt purchased the premises and land for ?l,050.(30) So after nine years of legal battles and much anguish and stress, the Clarkson home was about to change hands. That should have been an end to it all, but N0! Catherine refused to be beaten. There was still the matter of the title deeds, which had not been delivered to any party who had applied for them, and there had been numerous applications. ------ p143 ------ image ------ p144 ------ image Catherine herself, as previously mentioned, applied for the deeds a number of times. During 1831, both Thomas Clarkson Jnr, and his brother Mountford, also made their bids for ownership. Then Mrs Bigge (formerly Hester Stubbs, and a neighbour of the Clarksons) applied for the granting of the allotment she occupied in her own right in Phillip Street. This bid included the allotment of land at the rear of both her land and the land of the Clarksons and which had been disputed by Mrs Bigge since Thomas Clarkson had acquired ownership of it. This was Mrs Bigge's final attempt to recover what she claimed was hers.(31) . On 22 February 1831, Catherine's daughter Ann married William Simons and moved to Goulburn to live. (32) On 4 July 1831, Catherine sold all her household goods to Thomas Jnr. (obviously she was determined that they would not be sold with the house). This included a variety of items:(33) 73 Ref ??? If Only All those one feather bed, bedding, one small table, one chair, 3 beds and bedding, one table, washstand. and jug and basin, 3 window curtains, one pair of bedsteads with hangings, one mattress, one other bedstead, 2 pillows, one chest of drawers, one sofa, one washstand. jug and basin, one box with bed, furniture, 3 other beds, 3 bolsters, bed furniture, one coast of drawers, 3 boxes, one chest, one looking glass, 2 pictures, one window curtain. parlour; 2 window curtains, one sofa, blankets, pillows, sheets etc_ two tables, one looking glass, 2 window hangings, 2 tables in the Tap Room. Dining Room; 10 _chairs. one box, 3 dining tables. Bar; one counter, a number of glasses, tumblers, tin and pewter pots, pints, measures, casks etc.. Brewery; one copper, 2 coolers, several casks with sundry other apparatus. Malt Room; one malt mill with sundry apparatus, sundry kitchen culinary articles. One horse. harness, cart, one chaise, a set of garden tools a set of baking implements, buckets tubs, etc. Plus all the profits and interest in the Woodman. Alternative arrangements were now being considered by the Clarksons as to where they would spend the rest of their lives now that they were forced into considering the possibility of the loss of their home --- and this time for good. The previous year, young Thomas had married Maria Fielder and the couple were expecting the birth of their first child.(34) Perhaps it was this added responsibility that induced Thomas to petition the Governor, Major General Ralph Darling, with a request for a grant of land.(35) He stated he was the son of "Thomas Clarkson, late of Sydney, deceased, who had in his time made several improvements in Sydney and possessed a considerable property therein." Thomas added he was 21 years old and was married to a "respectable native (here meaning born in the colony) female. and was willing and able to cultivate and stock a farm." He was at this time employed at the Herald offices as a Printer. and his address was given as No 7 Hunter Street. His application appears to have been unsuccessful, as a notation on his petition dated 21 October 1831, states that the request could not be complied with.(36) GOULBURN Catherine, too, was busy letter writing. Addressed from No 8 Hunter Street, she once again petitioned for the grant of land promised her in Goulburn. Letters dated 22 July and 7 August were unanswered.(37) Catherine's letters re her land grant became caught up in what seemed like a myriad of applications from the Clarksons and others, regarding the Hunter Street ownership. Her letter was passed around from one department to another before finally being located and dealt with.(38) In December 1831. Governor Darling was replaced by Governor Bourke and it was to his Office that Catherine decided to apply one more time.(39) To Richard Burke Esquire Private Secretary Govt. House . No 8 Hunter Street Sign of the Woodman 3O January 1832 Sir, I beg leave most respectfully to request that you will be pleased to lay this my application before His Excellency the Governor at your earliest convenience for 74 Ref ??? If Only an order for the measurement of 50 acres of land which was given me by the late Governor Sir Thomas Brisbane and which land was selected in the Co of Argyle, the late Surveyor general Mr Oxley promised me it should be measured there when the Surveyor was in the district. I have made frequent applications both to the Colonial and Surveyor General's Office, letter after letter, but no answer could I ever get, but I do not consider myself worse than other and I now pray, as we have the honour of a change of Government here that you will be kindly pleased to move His Excellency, the Governor, for the said 50 acres of land to be measured to me, My son-in-law and daughter lives in Argyle, near Dr Gibson's, whom will manage the said farm for me and I am conscience that some portion of ample justice will now be done through you with His Excellency the Governor The honour of an answer is solicited I hate the honour to be Sir Your most obedient servant And it was from Governor Bourke's Office that Catherine finally was informed that she had lost her bid for the 50 acres promised her in 1825. ------ p147 ------ image The reason for this denial was attributed to her non compliance with the regulation of 1826 which requested persons make their selections by a certain date. Since she had not done so, it was not in the Surveyor General's power to "relieve her from the effects of that omission." The notation was dated 27 July 1832.(40) Undeterred by this, Catherine was to be a participator in a sale of town allotments in Goulburn on 13 June 1834. Mrs Catherine Clarkson of Castlereagh Street Sydney, became the owner of Lot 15 containing 2 roods-- described as allotment No 7, Section 2. A letter from the Internal Revenue to the Colonial Secretary confirmed the purchase stating ?3, had been paid on 3 June and the excess of ?2/14/- on 12 July 1834. The Internal Revenue Office now urged the Colonial Secretary "to cause a deed of Grant in her favour … to be prepared and transmitted… as early as convenient".(41) A deed was executed on 1 August 1834 and despatched to the office on 23 October 1834. Catherine now owned 2 roods in Goulburn in the County of Argyle, being allotment 7 of Section 2, bounded on the West by Auburn Street.(42) This property was left in Catherine's Will to her daughter Mary, who, at the time of Catherine's death was unmarried.(43) In February 1840, in Goulburn, Mary married William Harris.(44) On 1 and 3 January 1842, Mary and William Harris sold the 2 roods in Auburn Street, being allotment No 7 of Section 2, to John Hillas for ?320 sterling.(45) A WILL CONTESTED It would appear that the Clarksons were still resident in Hunter Street during 1832, That same year. Catherine applied for and was assigned 1 male convict to assist her.(46) On 10 January 1832 Mountford Clarkson signed over his ownership of the spirit licence belonging to the "Woodman", to his brother, Thomas.(47) . In April, Thomas Jnr. Printer of Sydney, sent a petition to the Honorable Francis Forbes Esquire, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of NSW. 48) The Humble petition of Thomas Clarkson of Sydney, Printer -- Shewith-, that your petitioner is the eldest son and heir at law of Thomas Clarkson, late of Sydney in the colony of NSW, Brewer, deceased, now Upwards of twenty one years old, 75 Ref ??? If Only He went on to state that his father had died… ------ p149 ------ image "leaving your Petitioner, his eldest son and heir at law, and also Catherine Clarkson, his widow, and Catherine Clarkson, Sarah Clarkson, Mountford Clarkson, Ann Clarkson and Mary Clarkson, younger children, him surviving" Having named the marriage and respective spouses of Catherine, Sarah, Mountford and Ann, he complained that the "other children surviving are unmarried" (there was one, Mary) "and living in the Same House with your Petitioner and deriving support therein". (Mary would have been 14 at the time) He mentioned the fact that he had a wife and child solely dependent upon his wages as Printer for their subsistence.(49) He also claimed that the terms of his father's Will were not being administered correctly, in that the children and legatees had received neither a distribution of the properties or funds, nor an account of the assets, and that his mother Catherine and Thomas Rowley had appropriated all the property and profits referred to in the Will for their own personal use. The children of Thomas Clarkson Senior had received no legacy, he claimed, although it was more than eight years since his father's death. As young Thomas had not seen any of the proceeds directed to the beneficiaries, he applied for a citation against his mother and his brother in law to account for "the goods, chattels, estate and effects of the said Thomas Clarkson deceased". (50) Judge Dowling granted the citation and as no information is available at this point on the outcome, we can only assume that Thomas finally came to realize he wasn't going to inherit his father's dreams. His claim to be the eldest son and heir at law leaves us wondering whether he was being truthful or whether it suited his purposes to make just such a statement. If the latter be true, then indeed John must have been absent from the family for some considerable time. ALL REVEALED In the Supreme Court of NSW on the 14 June 1833, Catherine Clarkson swore an affidavit in open court to commence a suit of Equity.(51) This was brought about as a result of an Ejectment action brought against her on 1 January 1832 by James Holt. This action was contested by Mountford and Thomas as owners of the two portions of land in dispute.(52) Catherine's statement contained an account of the lives of the Clarkson family and some of their circumstances from the time of their arrival in the colony and was to give us some very interesting insights into their affairs. Catherine stated that she "emigrated to the said for the purpose of rejoining and living with her husband, Thomas Clarkson "whom she had married in England". Thomas at that time, she said, was a "convict attaint or prisoner of the Crown residing in Sydney, and was assigned unto this ------ p151 ------ image deponent shortly after her arrival in Sydney".(53) Catherine also stated that, she had "brought very considerable property to the . said colony which she held in her own right and independent of her said husband".(54) With this she was able to purchase a piece of land "on which a house was erected situate and being at the corner of Elizabeth Street and High Street (now called Hunter Street)". John Parks was the vendor from whom she took a receipt for ?38.(55) 76 Ref ??? If Only ?38-0-0 Sydney October 1806 Received from Mrs Catherine Clarkson the sum of ?38 being payment for a House and ground situate in High Street with what timber is now lying on the ground and I have given to her full possession thereof. Pray receive by me. Jno X Parks (his mark) Witness present Thomas Russell. In August 1814, Catherine purchased another small portion from a neighbour, Mary Biggs.(56) I agree to sell to Catherine Clarkson this twenty first day of August 1814 36 feet 8 inches of my land , side of Jane Muckle's land to Clarkson's fence within ---- inches of Clarksons Brewery? to be divided strate (sic) across from Ester Stubb's fence up to Jane Muckle's fence. To have and to hold forever free from all encumbrances ….Admons or assigns. For the sun of fifteen pounds and two pounds ten shillings to, be spent -- the receipt I acknowledge to have received. Mary Bigges. X (her Mark) Witness Catherine Clarkson George Jubb. It was here that Catherine stated that she had resided continuously at this address and had made "very great improvements thereto" thus increasing the value of the property considerably.(57) Thomas, she claimed, carried on his business as a brewer separately and independently to her and acquired "very considerable property in the course of his trading".(58) His dealings with Daniel Cooper were extensive but that she, Catherine, considered Cooper had "by false representations prevailed upon Thomas Clarkson to execute unto the said Daniel Cooper a certain indenture of mortgage dated on or about the tenth ------ p153 ------ day of August 1822". This was the mortgage of property for which Thomas received ?1,775, plus interest. Catherine was to claim also that she knew nothing of the inclusion of the property in question in the said mortgage until recently and that it would only have been included in the agreement "for the sole purpose of defrauding or injuring her". (Whether she was referring to Thomas or Daniel Cooper as the "Injuror", is unclear).(59) She was also of the opinion that the whole mortgage was "altogether founded in fraud and that no money was due and owing from the said Thomas Clarkson to the said Daniel Cooper but on the contrary she believes a sum of eight pounds four shillings and sixpence was at the time due and owing from the said Daniel Cooper to the said Thomas Clarkson".(60) The mortgage she stated, was accompanied by a Warrant of Attorney which was collateral security for the payment of the said sum of the loan. The amount owing by Cooper was paid to her husband when the accounts were settled between them on 11 August 1822. In evidence of this, she produced a statement of this settlement "recently discovered amongst the papers of the said Thomas Clarkson".(61) Catherine's version of the court proceedings was as follows… She . conceded that the writ of Fieri Facias was issued on the 15 March which set a levy of ?1,926/3/8 to be raised from the sale of Thomas' goods was executed and from this, the Provost Marshall was able to report.... Levied on account of this writ after paving off Mortgage debt and rent due by notice served ?926/3/8.(62) 77 Ref ??? If Only Catherine was to state that she believed "that the amount so fraudulently secured by the said Indenture of Mortgage had been claimed by and paid to the said Daniel Cooper in addition to the said sun of ?926/3/8" so raised by the sale".(63) In her opinion, that mortgage was invalid and Cooper should never have recovered the amount it constituted. Now he was after the further ?1,000 which he claimed was the excess owing him. As a result of this, her home had been sold out from under her and now James Holt, the purchaser was trying to evict her. Catherine's complaint with him was that it was a conspiracy to defraud her of her home. This being brought about by Daniel Cooper, (who was no longer resident in the colony), through James Holt, who was carrying on Cooper's business in his absence. James Holt on the first day of the first term of 1832, "commenced an action of ejectment to recover the possession of the said two several pieces of land and house to which defense has been taken by Mountford Clarkson and Thomas Clarkson, who are sons of this deponent".(64) The Clarksons were now appealing to the courts for an injunction to restrain Holt from evicting them.(65) On the 24 October 1835 the case was dismissed out of Court as Catherine had not proceeded with the cause. 66) The reasons for this being, she had turned to the Court of Claims to lodge an application for ownership in opposition to James Holt.(67) ------ p154 ------ image By the end of 1833, Catherine showing her determination to remain at her residence in Hunter Street, leased part of her premises to Thomas Smithers.(68) For a period of five years she leased "all that brewhouse, cellar, maltkiln. Bottom malt floor, coach house with yard and pump" reserving to her, Catherine, the use of the pump and well and the freedom to come and go on the land as she wished. These facilities were situated at the rear of her premises in Hunter Street and for the term she intended charging Smithers ?74 for the first year and thence ?100 per year.(69) As 1833 drew to a close, Catherine was preparing for the final act in this drama which would ultimately determine the ownership of this long disputed property. The Woodman would either remain the home of the Clarksons or would fall to a new owner. SWEET VICTORY Catherine, threatened with eviction, would not go peacefully, and if James Holt thought she was giving up, he was mistaken. The matter of the deed of title (or the grant) was still to be settled. In April the Surveyor finally reached Hunter Street to measure up the property. This was duly done and the ownership of "Cooper and Levey (late Clarksons)" was noted on the document and dated 29 April 1834.(70) Description of an allotment of land lying and situate in the Parish of St Phillip (sic.) in the town of Sydney and County of Cumberland, the property of Cooper and Levey. Bounded on the North by the South side of Hunter Street ninety links,-- on the West by the East side of Elizabeth Street, four chains and three links -on the South . by the premises of Archibald McKellup bearing Easterly one chain eighteen links -- on the East by the premises of Bigge and McKellup, being lines bearing Northerly one chain forty links, making a Total of one chain seventy five links -- on the North again by a Westerly line of fifty six links -- on the East again by a Northerly line of one chain and sixteen links -- on the South again by an Easterly line of twenty links. The three latter lines bounding the Premises of the aforesaid 78 Ref ??? If Only McKellup and finally on the East by a Northerly line of eighty eight links (bounding Shaughenessy's premises) to the commencing North East corner in Hunter Street. Contents Fifty Six Square Perches. P.L. Bevin Surveyor 29 April 18j4 Late Clarksons Premises. The Parish was rightfully St James. Who was the rightful owner of the Woodman? The dispute was to be rekindled in the Court of Claims. James Holt submitted his claim in a memorial recorded as No 395, dated 3 May 1834.(71) On 5 May, opposing memorials were received from four opponents. 1st Catherine Clarkson, Widow, Elizabeth St, Sydney. nd2 ditto 3rd Mountford Clarkson, Cabinetmaker, Castlereagh St, Sydney 4th Esther Bigge, Widow, Phillip St, Sydney. Catherine and Mountford were claiming that the portion at the rear of the brewery was not part of the original land and was not included in the mortgage. In all, they were dividing the property into two claims -- One, the portions Catherine had purchased from Parks and Mary Bigge. Two, the portion Mountford claimed as his, at the rear of this. The memorial of Mountford Clarkson claimed ownership of the land, through the gift of it, in 1812 from his Godparents, Richard Harding and his Wife. The land had since remained in the hands of his mother as the natural guardian and trustee.(72) Harding was reputed to have bought the land from William Smith in November 1812. (William Smith, as previously mentioned, received the portion from his night of "carousing" with Stubbs, while Esther Spencer/Stubbs was absent). In 1813. Richard Harding and his wife, supposedly left for Europe, and in remembrance of them, they bequeathed the land to their Godson, Mountford. The land at that time was regarded as being worth very little.(73) Richard Harding was acknowledged as being young Mountford's godfather by various witnesses brought forward. Abraham Bateman, a Sawyer of Phillip Street, confirmed this evidence as did another witness, George Davey, who claimed to be present at the sale of Mrs (Mother) Stubbs' land to Harding. Thomas Evans, a pensioner in Pitt St, also swore to the stated evidence given by the others in Mountford's favour.(74) Catherine was to lodge two claims, numbered 535 and 536; one for the land she had purchased from John Parks and which she had enclosed, herself, with the permission of Governor Bligh, and the other for the land she had purchased from Mary Bigge in 1814. (see sketch of property). In this claim she refuted all claims that she had joined with Thomas in the mortgage to Daniel Cooper and she thereby refused to acknowledge the inclusion of her land in that same mortgage.(75) . …Daniel Cooper, merchant, who prevailed upon him (Thomas Clarkson) about 10 August 1822, to execute a mortgage for a sum of money pretended to be due .... and in which mortgage. he the said Daniel Cooper had caused the said land to he included, but your memorialist (Catherine) never joined in such mortgage, and never signed any deed or did any act to divest herself of the title to the said land. 79 Ref ??? If Only Other witnesses listed in Catherine's defence; Catherine, wife of Thomas Rowley, near Liverpool, Settler. Sarah Cooke, wife of Michael Cooke of Lane Cove, Settler. Thomas Evans, upper Pitt St. Sydney. Ann Evans, wife of Thomas Evans ditto. William Hill, Park St. Sydney, Publican. Mary Hill, wife of William Hill, ditto. James Connell, Castlereagh St. Sydney. Michael Joyce, Clarence St. Sydney. George Davey, George St, dealer. Memorial number 806 was from Esther Bigge of Phillip Street. In it she claimed she had received her land with the authorization of Governor Hunter in 1797 and had enclosed it with a fence and erected a house on it. At that time there was no division caused by Elizabeth Street. In the construction of this street, Bigge had to relinquish a small portion of her allotment, to accommodate the road.(76) She confirmed our earlier statement that a small portion of her land had been sold off to Smith by the man who was residing with her at the time, a man named Stubbs, but since he had no authority to sell it as they were not married, she considered the sale null and void. In 1822 she had married Joseph Bigge who was now deceased(77) and she now went by the name of Esther Bigge. This was obviously her last chance to recover the land she claimed had been virtually stolen from her. James Leek, a carpenter of Castlereagh Street, claimed he had boarded with Mrs Stubbs and that he was aware of the clashes that occurred over Clarkson gaining possession of the land. He claimed Stubbs and Mrs Stubbs had quarreled over the land, till the day Stubbs died. William Fleming, who had acted for Thomas Clarkson in legal matters over quite a number of years, had been present at three former trials of law suits over this property and it was only about 7 weeks ago, so he said, that he'd heard of the claim by Mountford Clarkson to the land. However, he did recall Catherine Clarkson saying some years previously that Mountford would one day build a fine house on the land. He went on to dispute the truth in the evidence given by Abraham Bateman as he recalled another occasion when Bateman had given evidence that was suspect. Lewis Soloman of Liverpool Road stated that when Mrs Bigge challenged Clarkson about the purchase of the land, he had told her to see Smith about it. Finally the Memorial numbered 395 from James Holt was tabled and from that came evidence that the accounts of the affairs of Clarkson and Cooper, contained in a book located in the office of Mr Norton, (a solicitor who often acted for Cooper), showed the progressive debts and payments. (78) There were 5 or 6 entries "and after judgement against Clarkson, the 4 pages relating to this property are dated, 28 October 1820. 18 December 1822, 23 May 1826 and 9 June 1831". None of these, it was claimed, was fully satisfied. (The levy of ?926/3/8 which had irritated Catherine so, had been acknowledged.) . This claim of Holt's went on to state that the mortgage did indeed contain both portions of land that were now in dispute; the one originally bought by Catherine herself and the one claimed by both Mountford Clarkson and Mrs Bigge. Having considered the evidence of all sides and acknowledging that the dispute between the parties regarding the settlement of the accounts was not in their power to determine, the Commissioners at the hearing decided to pronounce; 80 Ref ??? If Only that a deed of grant should be made of the whole premises in the names of Catherine Clarkson, widow and Thomas Rowley of Georges River, Settler., devisees under the will of Thomas Clarkson, late of Hunter Street Sydney, Deceased and to their heirs. Dated 28 August 1835(79) And so it was that Catherine finally won her first but ultimate battle in her long hard struggle to retain the only home she'd known since her arrival in the colony in 1806. Catherine was given the grant to the land, dated 8 February 1836.(80) It was official, THE WOODMAN WAS HERS! ------ p160 ------ image Catherine Clarkson had secured her home, the "Woodman", for her children and for the first time in over ten years she was to feel some stability, and perhaps a little peace. She had her land in Goulburn and she had applied and received a licence to vend spirits at the Inn she hoped to establish there under the Sign of the "Carrier's Arms",(1) This she accepted on the 23 Funs 1$35 at the same time that her son Thomas received the licence in his name for the Sign of the "Woodman," in Hunter Street. Unfortunately for Catherine Clarkson though, the remainder of her life was not to be any more peaceful than the former years. In April 1839, her son Thomas was committed to trial and gaoled for the attempted assault on a woman in the Domain. In September of that same year he petitioned for a mitigation of his sentence claiming, "that the limits of truth were overstepped on the part of the prosacutrix", (Although, at the same time not denying the charge nor attempting to lessen his guilt),(3) He pleaded compassion for his wife and family of three "annexed to an aged other" (Catherine) who were rendered destitute because of his condition, His plea met with an angry rebuff from W.M. Manning, Chairman of the Quarter Sessions, from whom a report was requested, Written across the back of Thomas' petition was the following; (4) This is the second or third petition for mitigation of sentence that has been presented by Clarkson and I have before given a full report of the evidence upon which he was convicted, The facts were shortly these; A Mrs Neale, a respectable young matron, was walking through the Domain on her way to the Baths at about a quarter past 8 in the morning when she was assaulted by the prisoner---He threw her on the ground and was had beginning to take liberties with her person when the cries of herself or her little child alerted persons from the Bathe, upon whose appearance he rose from her and escaped into the bush. The chairman Mr Manning was incensed with the fact that the petition described his charge merely as "assault" when in fact he had been found guilty of an assault with intent to commit rape.(5) ------ p162 ------ image . Unfortunately, to date, we have not sighted the details of Thomas' trial to elaborate on this any further. On 4 November 1839 Catherine Clarkson drew up her Will, leaving all her worldly goods to those of her family. Mary was to have the Goulburn property and Mountford to have those of Catherine's cattle on the farm run by her son in law William Simons. The cattle she owned at Holdsworthy, in the care of Thomas Rowley, were to be divided into 81 Ref ??? If Only thirds, between Mountford, Catherine Jnr and the three sons of the wayward Thomas. To Sarah Cook, her personal effects. (6) On 17 November 1839, Catherine Clarkson finally relinquished her tenacious hold on life & ceased her struggles.(7) She was buried with her husband, Thomas, at the Devonshire Street Cemetery. Their headstone read; (8) Thomas Clarkson, died 20 March 1824, aged 67 years, also Catherine, wife of above, died 17 November 1839 aged 57 year. Erected by her son Mountford Clarkson. On 29 and 30 March 1840 Thomas Rowley and the children of Catherine and Thomas Clarkson, namely John Clarkson, Catherine Rowley, Sarah Cook, Ann Simons, Mary Harris, Thomas Clarkson and Mountford Clarkson , sold the "Woodman" to James Holt.(9) Gone, now was every trace of Thomas Clarkson's estate. And what of the Woodman? In 1842 the Inn known as the "Sir Maurice O'Connell" was situate on the corner of Elizabeth and Hunter Streets. A check of available records and survey maps indicate it was the same Inn as that formerly known as the "Woodman".(10) In 1842 it's licence was held by Thomas Hill(11) AND between 1843 and 1845 it was licenced to John Wilson. (12) In 1845 James Holt mortgaged the property to Robert Campbell, the younger, who was then president of the Bank of NSW, for ?12,000.(13) Sometime between then and the next sale in 1857, James Holt returned to live at Basing Cottage near Basingstoke in England, leaving James Cooper with a power of attorney to conduct his affairs in the colony.(14) In June 1857 the property was sold in three lots. The portion bought originally by Catherine Clarkson from Parks was sold to William Sharpe Esquire for ?3,000.(15) The other was the portion bought from Mary Bigge in 1814 and it was sold to Andrew Gribbon for ?1,660.(16) The third portion was that of Mountford Clarkson's, given him by his godparents in 1812 and this was sold to Mary Roberts.(17) From Mary this small piece containing 11 perches passed to William Paling in 1886, and in 1908 it passed from the hands of The Standard Life Association Limited to William Dewar who applied in that year to bring it under the Real Property Act.(18) Today the Goodsell building stands on the site of the Sign of the "Woodman". What tales it could tell if only it could speak! ------ p164 ------ image WHAT'S IN A NAME? Thomas Clarkson's signature abounds in the records of the various Colonial Departments and on multiple promissory notes which he signed during his years of residency in NSW. From the time he signed his marriage register, through to his Will, his hand remained basically the same, except for a few extra embellishments which he added at a later stage. At times quite boldly written and at others, shortened in haste, to Thos . Clarkson, his hand proved unmistakable to us as we poured over the documents he'd signed. His was not the only signature in the family to adorn petitions and indentures. That of his wife, Catherine Clarkson, became a familiar sight in the years after Thomas' death. Hers too, had become shortened but bears a strong resemblance to that on her marriage record. 82 Ref ??? If Only The children also, could read and write, and their names were also visible on some documents as witness to their father's dealings, as well as in their own right on their own family records. What could be more personal than a signature? Perhaps to examine the signatures of the Clarkson family, is a little like meeting them on a more personal level and is as close as we will ever come to them. ------ p166 ------ image Catherine was the eldest surviving child of Catherine and Thomas Clarkson. They baptised her in Kingsbury, England on 29 May 1798.(1) Catherine accompanied her family to NSW in 1806 on board the "Alexander" . (2) With younger children in the family, she would have assumed some responsibility for the caring of her brother and sister and would probably have helped in establishing their new home in Bell Row (Hunter Street) and the bakery which was to provide them with a living for many years to come: (in fact until the death of Catherine's mother in 1$39). Catherine worked in the bakery serving customers and in 1813 (then aged about 15) she overcharged a man on a loaf of bread. Her father Thomas, was fined for overcharging.(3) In 1814 Catherine Junior, purchased in her own right, a portion of land in Macquarie Street belonging to Andrew Kaine and which we believe was later let to Edward Roche.(4) Catherine was married in 1818 to Thomas Rowley, the eldest son of the late Thomas Rowley, Esquire and Elizabeth Selwyn, or Kingston, near Newtown.(5) Thomas had been born at Sydney Cove on 12 August 1794 and was baptised at St Phillips on 5 September.(6) His father was a member of the NSW corps and is believed to have arrived in the colony on 14 February 1792 on the "Pitt". On board the same vessel, in the convict quarters, was Elizabeth Selwyn, convicted of theft and transported for seven years to NSW by order of the court in Gloucester.(7) The couple were to form a relationship which lasted until the death of Captain Rowley in 1806. On his death his Will left all his estate in trust for his "five natural children begotten on the body of Elizabeth Selwyn, namely Isabella Rowley, Thomas Rowley, John Rowley, Mary Rowley and Eliza Rowley". Elizabeth was to receive an allowance for the duration of her natural life so long as she remained single in habitat, but she was to forfeit this benefit by living with Abbott Osborne, a convict who had been assigned to her husband.(9) In 1814 Thomas Rowley Junior was listed in the muster as being free born and a landholder.(10) In 1816 his activities were centered in the Liverpool district where he was rearing cattle and horses. The Sydney Gazette for 1816 reported Rowley was offering the services of his stallion "Escape", for a fee and it also listed him among suppliers of beef to the Government Stores: he and his brother John.(11) The horses and the beef would have been part of his father's estate, as in 1817, the trustee's of the Will. Johnston and Harris, demanded the return of cattle and horses sold by Thomas and John from the estate without the Permission of the executors. They threatened "prosecution with the utmost rigor the law" if the purchasers did not comply. (12) On 26 June 1819 Thomas Rowley leased his stockyard and run at Liverpool . to Thomas Flanagan for seven years at ?16 per annum. The run and stockyard had been held by the late Thomas Rowley and was leased on the condition that his son, young Thomas, could reserve a run "for any quantity of his own cattle he may think proper".(13) When the executors of the Will were called to England, Governor Macquarie appointed Thomas Moore as trustee and guardian of the Rowley children. His action in handling the estate was to cause much controversy and the story of this incident can be 83 Ref ??? If Only read in other accounts of the Rowley family. In spite of this, Thomas Moore remained a good friend of Thomas Rowley Junior, even providing him with a character reference at a later date. Thomas Moore is buried near young Thomas at the Pioneer Cemetery at Liverpool.(14) From the Burwood estate, Thomas Rowley received 213 acres near the present day railway station(15) and he was in occupation of the Bankstown land of his father's which included a 700 acre grant of 1804 and purchases from William Baxter and Ann Gilbert of 60 acres and 110 acres respectively and 30 acres of the 50 acre grant given to Michael Murphy. This land was at Harris Creek and was near the Georges River. Today the land is known as Hammondville.(16) Catherine and Thomas Rowley lived in the Minto area after their marriage. Here three children were born to them; Thomas in 1818, Isabella in 1820 and John in 1822.(17) During this time they were residing in the house that Thomas Clarkson owned and built at Bunburry Curran.(18) Thomas Rowley Junior became a close friend of Thomas Clarkson and it was from this house at Bunburry Curran that they organised their farming interests. Both are listed in detail, with their holdings in the Land and Stock musters of the Liverpool district.(19) 1818-- Thomas Rowley had 150 acres (120 cleared), 600 head of cattle, a flock of 300 sheep, 22 hogs and 3 horses. 80 acres were under cultivation and he had a garden of 6 acres. 1819-- Holdings increased to 900 acres (this was the acreage at Bankstown) and his cattle numbered 117. 1820-- 1060 acres and a marked increase in sheep, now numbering 2656. 1822-- He was occupying 1300 acres, 400 which were cleared and about half the number of sheep of the previous year. His horned cattle numbered 60 and he had 4 horses. Both the years of 1821 and 1822 list him as being resident in the Liverpool area (bear in mind this area also covers Airds, Minto and Bunburry Curran). ------ p171 ------ image In 1823 Thomas Rowley signed a character reference for a convict in his employ since 1817. Michael Cook was applying for a Certificate of Freedom and Thomas Rowley and Rev. Reddall attested his suitability to receive one.(20) That same year Rowley had enjoyed the services of an assigned convict who was employed in the capacity as painter. For this he owed the Government ?1/3/6. The previous year had also seen him employ another convict for the sum of ?4/11/6. 21) Thomas Rowley received a grant of 60 acres of land in the Airds district near Bow Bowing Creek in 1823.(22) He had occupied this land for some years previous to this date and during this time it became part of the estate of Thomas Clarkson (It was to appear in mortgages of Clarkson's from time to time).(23) When Clarkson's estate at Bunburry Curran was sold to Cooper in 1822, it had still not been officially granted to Rowley but was included in this sale as Rowley's grant.(24) When the land was sold by Cooper in 1828 to Jemima Jenkins, Cooper stated Rowley had conveyed the land to him, This grant was the only grant of land young Thomas Rowley was ever to own.(25) . The Rowleys then moved to Harris Creek.(Holdsworthy) It was interesting to note that Michael and Sarah Cook became residents of Minto at the time the Rowleys moved. From Holdsworthy, Thomas Rowley petitioned the Governor, Sir Thomas Brisbane for a grant of land. This was dated 1824 and during that same year a daughter, Catherine Ann, was born to the Rowleys at Liverpool.(26) 84 Ref ??? If Only In petitioning for this grant, Thomas claimed eligibility on the grounds of him being a native born youth. (Some years later his brother in law, Thomas Clarkson Jnr. was to bid for a grant on the same grounds, but unsuccessfully). Rowley's letter read… (27) That your Excellency's Memorialist is the son of Thomas Rowley Esquire, late Captain of the NSW corps, and by persersverance and industry has accumulated one hundred and fifty head of horned cattle, exclusive of horses. That Memorialist has never received any grant of land from Government except from the late Governor Macquarie which is very inadequate for the maintenance of the stock of cattle he now holds and for which he is necessitated.....under many disadvantages. Memorialist therefore humbly hopes your Excellency will be pleased to grant him such portion of land for ------ p173 ------ image ------ p174a ------ his stock as to your Excellency wishes judgement may seem meet and your Memorialist will as in duty ever pray. Thos. Rowley. ------ p174 ------ image ------ p174b ------ Thomas Moore added his recommendation in the form of a character reference stating Thomas Rowley was a steady, sober and industrious man. The outcome of this letter in unknown. That same year Thomas Rowley, yeoman, of Harris Creek, was to act on a panel of Jurors at the Quarter Sessions of the Peace at Liverpool.(28) Some months previously he had become caught up in the controversy concerning the Will of Thomas Clarkson, for he was co-executor. He and his mother in law were to "weather many a storm" together over the right to title of Thomas Clarkson's one remaining piece of real estate, the "Woodman" in Hunter Street. In 1826 Catherine Rowley of Bankstown, witnessed a sale of household goods and farming implements from her brother in law, Michael Cook of Minto, to her mother, Catherine Clarkson.(29) That November, Catherine Rowley gave birth to a daughter, Elizabeth, whom she baptised with the twins of Sarah and Michael Cook at St Phillips Church in Sydney.(30) During this and the following years, Thomas Rowley of Liverpool was to experience some of the pressures in the financial field that Thomas Clarkson had felt in former years. It would appear that from the names listed in the court judgements at the Archives Office that he was dealing with the same people that Thomas Clarkson had encountered. In December 1826, Thomas Rowley of Bunburry Curran was threatened with having his goods and chattels auctioned to recover a debt owed to Daniel Cooper.(31) The census of 1828 shows Thomas Rowley as being a tenant at Holdsworthy in possession of 900 acres of land. With him were; Ann Burns, a servant, aged 45 years, . James Kelly, a Government servant, aged 31 years, (he arrived in 1823 on the "Earl St Vincent", Edward Shakely, aged 41 years, in the capacity of gardener and Henry White, ticket of leave convict, aged 32 years, working as a nailor. (32) During 1828 a notice appeared in the Sydney Gazette from Catherine Clarkson, cautioning people against trespassing on Payne's Hill. (This was the land at Harris Creek now in the occupation of Thomas Rowley)(33) Three years later Catherine was to give this 85 Ref ??? If Only land to her daughter, Catherine Rowley, as a gift,` stating it had been given to her late husband. Four days later Thomas Rowley declared himself bankrupt! This land was given back to Thomas Rowley by Catherine Clarkson just days before Catherine died in 1839. 34) ; ------ p175 ------ image During the years 1831 to 1840, two boys and three girls were born to the Rowleys.(35) In 1836 Thomas Rowley gave evidence at a murder trial involving a convict named James Ryan. At the trial it was stated that Rowley lived two miles from the Stockades at Holdsworthy. He was referred to as being an unquestionable witness so obviously his honesty and character were held in high esteem.(36) On 8 December 1836 Thomas Rowley of Holdsworthy, married man, applied to "depasture stock beyond the limits of location" in the Monaro district.(37) The stock was to be in the care of Patrick Buckley and the licence issued is reputed to be one of the first of its kind. At the time his real and personal effects included 900 acres, 400 head of cattle and 30 horses. In 1840 Thomas Rowley played a part in the sale of the "Woodman" to James Holt by Catherine Clarkson's children.(38) In 1850, Thomas Rowley's estate went before the Insolvency Court.(39) Catherine Rowley died at Liverpool on 19 July 1858. She was buried in the Pioneer Cemetery Liverpool by Daniel Tindale, whose grandson Steven Burcher married Catherine's daughter, Elizabeth in 1849.(40) The Sydney Morning Herald and the Sydney Mail of 13 September 1862 announced the death of Thomas Rowley, who had died at Cabramatta on the 11 September 1862. He was buried on the 13th beside his wife, Catherine Clarkson/Rowley. He was survived by 4 sons and 6 daughters. One son, John had predeceased him.(41) ------ p177 ------ image ------ p178 ------ image ------ p179 ------ image ------ p180 ------ image ------ p181 ------ SARAH Born in Kingsbury England on 23 February 1804,(1) Sarah accompanied her family to NSW on the "Alexander" in 1806.(2) Little is known of Sarah's childhood apart from her baptism with the other members of the family on 2 June 1816 at St Phillips Church, Sydney.(3) (A notation on the baptismal register informs us that an earlier baptism took place as well). Apart from this, Sarah's name appeared as a witness on the land transaction between her father, Thomas Clarkson and Edward Shakely in 1819,(4) but any further details of her younger years remain a mystery. It is obvious she must have spent time at Bunburry Curran, Airds, where her sister Catherine and her family were residing in Thomas's house. Her future husband, Michael Cook was an assigned convict in the employ of Thomas Rowley in the Airds district and perhaps this is where Sarah met him. Michael Cook was a convict who arrived in the colony aboard the "Larkins" . in 1817 to serve a seven year sentence. His indent details describe him as being from Southhampton, Eng. 20 years of age, and at the time of his arrest as workinq as a farm boy. He was 5' 3" tall (or short), of ruddy complexion, flaxen haired, with hazel eyes (later, grey was added to the description of his eye colouring.)(5) Michael Cook was lucky to be alive; On 3 March 1817 he and William Augur had been found guilty of burglary and had been sentenced to hang. It was claimed they had 86 Ref ??? If Only entered a house at Andover, Eng, on 2 February and stolen 200 lb weight of cheese worth ?3. A plea of clemency however, commuted their sentence and they were destined to be NSW colonials before the year was to end.(6) On his arrival in NSW Michael, along with others, was sent to Liverpool for general distribution.(7) He became assigned to Thomas Rowley in December(8) (the same month of his arrival) and he received his Ticket of Leave the very next year.(9) It would seem he worked for Rowley until August 1822 -- the same month and year that Thomas Clarkson sold his Bunburry Curran estate to Daniel Cooper. Leaving Rowley's employ, Michael became assigned to Reverend Riddell (as was William Augur) at Liverpool.(10) In 1823 Michael Cook applied for a pardon. His application was accompanied by a character reference from Rowley and Riddell. Both acknowledged that he was an "honest sober and industrious character" and had served Rowley faithfully for 5 years.(11) Twins were born to Michael Cook and Sarah Clarkson on 16 May 1822 but the young couple were not to marry until after Sarah's father's death in 1824. The two little girls were named Martha and Charlotte and were christened with Elizabeth Rowley at St Phillip's Church, Sydney on 14 January 1827.(12) Michael and Sarah were married at Saint Luke's Church, Liverpool on 9 August 1824.(13) That same year Michael received his Certificate of Freedom.(14) Ironically, this was granted just days before Thomas Clarkson died. ------ p182 ------ The Cooks (or Cookes) were resident in Minto (Airds) after their marriage. The muster taken in 1825 lists them as being there with their family, Martha and Charlotte aged 4 and little Thomas Clarkson Cook, born in March 1825 and proudly named after the grandfather he'd never see.(15) & (16) In July 1825 accusations were laid against Michael Cook which cast a shadow on his honest and sober reputation. Robert Townson, a landholder at Bunburry Curran, wrote to the Colonial Secretary complaining that Michael, together with some of Townson's own convicts, was stealing items from him. This, he claimed was making it almost impossible for him to continue his business of farming. Upon Townson's return from a recent trip to Sydney, he discovered 1500 lbs of flour had been stolen from his grainery. He expressed the belief that Michael Cook was involved…. My suspicions fall upon my convict servant Thomas Jacobs, a very bad man, and a little settler or farmer (only x I believe a Ticket of Leave man) called Michael Cook, and the stolen property, as he keeps a cart, is I suppose carried to Sydney and very likely to his mother in law Mrs Clarkson, Baker, Hunter Street. She was, not long ago sentenced to the Coal River (Newcastle) as a receiver.(17) A notation in the side column, referring to the x says simply "doubtful"; Townson's accusations were obviously viewed quite critically, by the officials of the day. The letter from Townson also stated that one Samuel Newman, late a servant of Townson's lived with Cook and that "until I can break up this conspiracy I shall never be safe". He went on to say that one of the constables would be able to tell them where.... this Cooke puts up his cart. Cooke was Convict servant to Clarkson and then . married one of the daughters, was guilty of robbing their house of porks which I found upon my Jacobs… (18) Early in 1826 Michael Cook applied for a licence to vend spirits. On hearing of this, Robert Townson again wrote to the Colonial Secretary, objecting to the granting of such, on the grounds that Cook's place was a haven for rogues who caroused well on into the night. He claimed the house "has long been known for the clandestine traffic in spirits". At 87 Ref ??? If Only the time of this letter being penned, Michael Cook was facing charges of vending without a licence at the Court in Campbelltown.(19) The official outcome of these charges are unknown. ------ p183 ------ image In April 1826 Michael sold all his household goods and farming possessions to his "infamous" mother in law Catherine Clarkson, and it would seem that it was at this time that the family were preparing to move to Lane Cove.(20) In any case they were there in 1828 when the census of that year was taken and by then their family had increased to five children. Residing with the Cooks in 1828 were Mary Ann Ansell and Samuel Newman. Mary Ann aged 55 years (in 1828) had arrived free in 1806 on the "Fortune" which had accompanied the "Alexander" as far as Rio where the latter remained for repairs, whilst the "Fortune" and Bligh's ships continued on their way to NSW. Samuel Newman, aged 28 years (in 1828) was freed by servitude and was Michael's old friend from his Liverpool days.(21) Michael Ansell (relationship to Mary Ann unknown but by age alone could have been a son) was residing on the portion of land which Samuel Midgelly had been granted and which adjoined the Cook's land, the boundary being the centre of what was to become known as "Fidden's Wharf Road".(22) In 1831 Michael Cook tried to purchase a section of land on the banks of the Lane Cove River, not far from his own property at Fidden's Farm. (23) The land was of 10 acres and was near Cook's Wharf. Although the survey map indicates Cook was an applicant for the land, after a lengthy period of applying and corresponding with the new Government Officials, he was to lose the land to Thomas Hyndes.(24) In 1836 tragedy struck the family. One of the twins, Martha, seduced and made pregnant by a neighbour, Robert McIntosh, died just days before her 14th birthday. Michael Cook sued him, and received ?50 in damages.(25) Michael Cook died in 1853 aged 55 years, leaving his wife and a large family to fend for themselves.(26) It would appear that the majority of the children remained in the Lane Cove area until their father's death but after that they began to disperse. The older ones were of marrying age and went off to make lives of their own. The North Coast was to beckon a number of them. In 1863 Sarah Cook made application to bring her property under the Real Property Act and received the Certificate of Title to her land.(27) Situate on the corner of Lane Cove Road and Fidden's Wharf Road the land comprised the grants of Joseph Fidden and William Wilson, totalling 90 acres in all. In 1872 Sarah sold two portions -- one of 10 acres to Mrs Jane Baker and the other of 20 acres to Robert Baker.(28) In 1865 Sarah was joined by her brother, Mountford, whose son, Thomas Frederick had purchased the adjoining grant from Sarah Flood, the widow of Thomas Flood.(29) Thomas made the land over to his father and thus Sarah and Mountford were to find themselves neighbours. . When Sarah Cook died in 1877, she left all she had to her sons, and her daughter Pricilla.(30) Three portions of the land containing (after survey) 10 acres, 2 rods, 4 & 3/4 perches; 9 acres, 3 rods, 10 & 1/4 perches and 10 acres, 3 rods, 28 & 1/4 perches were given to Thomas Clarkson Cook, Mountford Cook and ------ p185 ------ image ------ p186 ------ image 88 Ref ??? If Only ------ p187 ------ image William Cook.(31) Mountford and William were resident in Gosford at the time of their mother's death, whilst Thomas was further North at Nambucca Heads. Another portion of the land containing 19 acres, 2 rods, 27 & 1/2 perches was left to Charles(32) and 16 acres 2 rods and 39 and 1/4 perches was to become John's.(33) James had predeceased his mother as had Martha, Catherine, Ann and Sarah and little Rebecca.(34) Sarah's Will was executed by John McKeon, who immediately had the land surveyed. This map shows the land in great detail, indicating son John's house and orchard, which was 1 acre outside the boundary and gives credit to the adjoining allotment of Mountford Clarkson.(35) John's homestead is the only dwelling (apart from a hut) to be included on the map so this could well have been the original family home. Thomas Clarkson Cook, Mountford Cook and William Cook, immediately sold their portions,(36) (Mountford's sale supposedly financed the bullock team he transported to the Nambucca to haul logs). John sold his portion (part of Wilson's original grant) in 1884.(37) The portion left to Charles was the only one left in the family and it was sold piece by piece until in 1945, his daughter, Sarah Rayson Jane Cook (spinster) and Minnie Violet Holmes sold the last piece.(38) Sarah and Michael Cook are buried at Saint Thomas' Church of England Cemetery at St. Leonards, Sydney, together with their son, James aged 47 and his family; wife, Mary Ann, died 1904 aged 73 and daughter Charlotte Ann Wheeler died 1912 aged 43.(39) THE OTHER MICHAEL COOK. On board the "Larkins" in 1817 was another Michael Cook.(40) This Michael Cook had been convicted at the Surrey Assizes on 27 March 1817 and received a life sentence.(41) The exact nature of his crime is unknown to us at this time. He was a 40 year old painter and glazier, he was 5' 3" tall with a dark sallow complexion, brown eyes and brown hair, greying in parts.(42) On his arrival, he was assigned to Mr Wilkinson at Parramatta, (43) and in 1819 he married Mary Mullett,(44) a convict who arrived on the "Lady Melville'' in 1817.(45) They do not appear to have had any children. In 1821 this Michael Cook petitioned for a mitigation of his sentence(46) but was not to receive his freedom until 1825.(47) In 1823 he purchased 49 rods of land in Fennell Street, Parramatta, land which had formerly been granted to J. Walton.(48) In 1828 Michael Cook and his wife, aged 47 and 32 years respectively were still residing in Parramatta.(49) Michael Cook died in 1838.(50) ------ p189 ------ image ------ p190 ------ image THOMAS The first child born in the colony of NSW to Thomas and Catherine Clarkson, arrived on 13 January 1810(1) at a time when Lachlan Macquarie had just been . installed as Governor. He was baptised Thomas Clarkson at St Phillips Church, Sydney, with the other youngsters of the family, on 2 June 1816.(2) At the corner of Phillip & Hunter Streets, Lawrence Hynes Halloran, (a convict) had established the Sydney Grammar School - housed in the premises originally built and owned by our Thomas Clarkson known as No 54 Phillip St. This was founded by the free settlers and military. 89 Ref ??? If Only On Friday 25 June 1824, exams were scheduled at the school and the Sydney Gazette ran a report on the awards won by various students who had excelled with their results. Among the list of names appears; (3) -- "and the silver pen was adjudged to Master Thomas Clarkson, for superior penmanship". This is more than likely young Thomas, son of our Thomas Clarkson as Thomas Ormonde Clarkson (son of Thomas Clarkson II) had not been born and our Thomas Jnr. would have been around 14 years of age. (We noticed that Robert Jenkins was listed as a classmate). Thomas Jnr. was to be apprenticed to Ralph Mansfield the first editor of the Sydney Herald and worked there as a compositor (type setter) for 5 years. He was reputedly employed at the Australian for 2 years as well.(4) At Scot's Church, Sydney, on 26 December 1830, he married Maria Fielder, the eldest daughter of William and Mary Ann Fielder. The witnesses at the wedding were Margaret Fairbough and William Dalton (perhaps Maria's uncle).(5) The couple lived in Hunter Street with Thomas' mother, Catherine and his younger siblings, Mountford, and Mary. In 1832, Thomas complained that they were all dependant on his salary as compositor for their existence and he applied to the Supreme Court for a citation against his mother and Thomas Rowley, to show where the assets of his father's Will were being directed. He stated that Catherine and Thomas were appropriating the proceeds to their own gains. Citation was granted.(6) From No 7 Hunter St, in May 1831, Thomas Clarkson petitioned Governor Darling for a grant of land to which he was entitled as a native born youth. It was denied him.(7) Between 1831 and 1836 four children were born to Thomas and Maria, the third, Mary Ann, died, leaving three sons, namely; Thomas William, Mountford Fielder and John Kingsley.(8) Catherine Clarkson, had, in 1827, conveyed the ownership of the Woodman (Inn) and the brewery to her son, Thomas.(9) In 1831, just after his marriage she sold him all the household goods therein for ?51 sterling.(10) Six months later, the spirit licence that Catherine had conveyed to Mountford was sold to Thomas for ?5 by Thomas' brother.(11) In 1839 Thomas Clarkson was gaoled for the assault and attempted rape of Mary Ann Neale in the Domain. (12) His family were left in the care of his aged mother (Catherine Clarkson) but when she died in November 1839 they were on their own until in 1840 the Woodman was sold. (13) Since Thomas Clarkson is not listed in the census-of 1841, we assume that he was still in custody. In the years 1844-1845 Thomas Clarkson was resident in South Head Road, presumably with his family.(14) A directory of 1851 does not show his name.(15) What happened to the family in the years between 1845 and 1853 is a mystery but we have established the sad fact that in 1853, Maria Clarkson died a pauper in the Benevolent Asylum and was buried at Camperdown.(16) The boys by then would have been aged between 22 years and 17 years. Maria's father, William Fielder was born in the colony on 16 January . 1795.(17) He was the son of William (Jack the gardener) Fielder and his wife Sarah. In 1789, William Snr, was convicted, with 2 accomplices, of robbing William Frost on Edgewere Road near London. He was sentenced to death but this was commuted and he was transported to NSW on the "Scarborough" in 1790 to serve out a life sentence.(18) Sarah, his wife followed in the "Neptune", as a free settler, and on arrival it would seem that William may have been assigned to her. The couple settled in the Rocks at 90 Ref ??? If Only Cambridge Street.(19) William's skills as a gardener were evident when in 1810, he advertised his house for sale, "planted with every vegetable and 103 choice orange, lemon and other fruit trees".(20) William was pardoned in March 1810(21) and died in 1812.(22) Sarah, his wife predeceased him, dying in 1810.(23) William had two sons, William and Robert. Robert became a sailor and in 1813, was charged with deserting from the "Samarang",(24) (the same ship in which the crew who vandalised Thomas Clarkson's house in 1813 sailed). Young William Fielder, Robert's brother, was apprenticed to G. Blaxcell as a ship-wright.(25) Maria's mother, Mary Ann Fielder, was the daughter of Richard and Sarah Dalton.(26) She had come free to the colony on the "Experiment" in 1805 with her parents.(27) The Daltons lived at Richmond until Richard became Deputy gaoler of Sydney. At a later stage they both went on to be Master and Matron of the Benevolent Asylum.(28) Richard Dalton died in 1833 and his wife the preceding year.(29) Mary Ann Dalton married William Fielder on 3 October 1814 at St Phillips Church Sydney. They lived in the house in Cambridge Street and had 9 children of whom Maria was the eldest. In 1830, the same year Maria married Thomas Clarkson Jnr, Mary Ann Fielder/Dalton died as did her last child Charlotte, born that same year.(30) Thomas Clarkson Jnr, died in Queensland on 4 March 1884. ------ p193 ------ image ------ p194 ------ image MOUNTFORD Mountford was the fifth surviving child of Thomas Clarkson and Catherine Rayson.(1) He was born on 15 March 1812 and was the godchild of the Clarkson's close friends, Richard Harding and his wife.(2) When the Hardings left the colony, they gave Mountford an allotment of land facing Elizabeth Street, adjoining the rear of the Clarkson' s property, as a token of remembrance.(3) In his youth, Mountford was apprenticed to Charles Roberts, a cabinetmaker, of Castlereagh Street. In 1828, Charles Roberts employed four young apprentices(4) and by 1839 he had upwards of a dozen employees and was reputed to have the largest workshop in Sydney.(5) Both Charles Roberts and his wife, Elizabeth, were born in the colony.(6) In 1832 Mountford was residing, with his mother, in Hunter Street and was part of the disputes concerning the ownership of the property belonging to him and his family.(7) Mountford was given the spirit licence that year for the Public House, the "Woodman", run by his mother, Catherine.(8) On 21 October 1833, at St Phillips Church, Sydney, he wed Jemima Fisher.(9) Jemima was born in the colony to John and Jemima Fisher on 24 December 1811.(10) Jemima was employed as a servant by William Roberts at his "Royal Arms Inn" on the corner of Castlereagh and Hunter Street. William and Ann Roberts were the . witnesses at the wedding.(11) Mountford was one of the new generation of "native youth". These were the children born to the English exiles and settlers, and these cornstalks, as they were known, were conscious of their freedom, and their love of the outdoors encouraged the development of sporting interests. In 1839 Charles Roberts' cabinetmakers, challenged any other team of 91 Ref ??? If Only cabinetmakers, who thought they could outrow their boatcrew of five Australians plus a steersman, to a contest. A similar challenge was mounted "to play the manly game of cricket".(12) The outcome of both these events is unknown but indicates the beginnings of patriotic pride, and competition. On 1 February 1842, the following announcement appeared in the Australian.(13) CHALLENGE The members of the Australian Cricket Club beg leave to notify the lovers of the manly game of cricket, that they are open to play ANY eleven in the colony of NSW, for the sum of ?25 a side. The match, if made, can be concluded instantly, on application by any gentleman to Mr Rd. Driver, or Mr Mount ford Clarkson, Elizabeth Street; such a match to come off on Hyde Park Cricket Ground, Sydney, within one month from this date. Sydney 3 January 1842. A match was scheduled for 7 March 1842 in Hyde Park against a Victorian Team. It was played with great enthusiasm and most of the players disregarded the use of leg wickets, gloves and boots in most cases. The game proved a dissapointment as the home team were well and truely beaten. Not to be discouraged, a rematch was arranged and, with the added benefit of a little pre-match practice this time, the tables were turned. Mountford Clarkson was to figure prominently in the defeat….(14) The bowling on this side (Australians) was principally by Rowley and R. Still but in the second innings, Clarkson took the ball and succeeded in flooring four successive wickets by his effective and insinuating style of bowling. It was during this match that round arm bowling was used for the first time in competitive cricket and this, according to sources consulted by us, was credited to Robert Still.(15) We wonder if this was also the "effective and insinuating style of bowling" used by Clarkson. In 1840 the "Woodman" was sold and on 22 October, when their first son, Mountford John was born, the Clarksons were living in Castlereagh Street and Mountford was engaged in cabinetmaking.(16) The depression of the 1840's saw the demise of a great number of early Sydney cabinetmakers. Mountford's move to the business of Publican could have been as a result of this trend. On 9 December 1841 he took over the Publican's licence of the "Spread Eagle" at the corner of Elizabeth and Park Streets, from its previous owner, William Pullinger.(17) A second son, William Thomas was born to Mountford and Jemima here in April 1842 (18) and in December of that year Mountford hosted a meeting of cabinetmakers, called to discuss the downtrend in their trade.(19) Three more children arrived; Henry in 1843, Sarah in 1845 and Thomas Frederick in 1846. The birth of their only daughter, Sarah, was announced in the Sydney Morning Herald.(20) During the years 1844-45 they were listed in Low's directory at the . Elizabeth Street address.(21) 1842 saw Mountford's name appear in the Sydney Morning Herald as a supporter of James Holt (the purchaser of the "Woodman'') George Hill and Thomas Broughton, who had been nominated for City Councillors for the ward of Macquarie.(22) ------ p197 ------ image 92 Ref ??? If Only After the death of Jemima Clarkson's father, John Fisher in 1841, Mountford, his wife Jemima, Mary Ann Holt and Sarah Fisher and the devisees of John's Will, William Roberts and James White, sold the 45 perches in Clarence Street, which had been the Fisher family home. John Booth Jones purchased the property for ?1,420.(23) On 3 February 1850, Jemima Clarkson died suddenly, at her residence in Elizabeth Street.(24) A Coroner's inquest attributed her death to apoplexy, apparently brought about by the violent vomiting she had experienced after partaking "heartily of a dish to which she was partial and which in her weakly state would be likely to cause death".(25) What a sensation this seemingly innocent death was to cause amongst the inhabitants of Sydney Town! Rumours began to circulate that perhaps Jemima's death had been deliberately contrived. This was perhaps sparked by the fact that just over a month later, Mountford Clarkson married again to a close friend of the family, Mary Ann Smith.(26) After Jemima's funeral, Sarah Fisher raised the suspicion that her sister had been poisoned, and that had set the wheels of justice into retracing the circumstances of the death. Five days after the wedding, a warrant was issued for the exhumation of Jemima's body. (No post mortem had been carried out on the body at the time of death as it was not deemed necessary by the Coroner at the time). A jury was impaneled and on the 30 March, both Mountford and Mary Ann Clarkson were arrested as being accessories to the murder of Jemima, along with a Mrs Pickering, who was charged likewise. The Clarksons were both charged with wilful murder and were remanded to the next sitting of the court. Both loudly protested their innocence. Mrs Pickering, who had been bridesmaid at their wedding, was arrested "in consequence of some fugitive words which had escaped her" and which seemed to indicate that she knew more than she was admitting about the case.(27) "The case caused much excitement. The room in which the court sat was crowded to excess and great numbers assembled in the Street". Jeers were hurled at Mountford and Mary Ann as they were escorted back to the gaol by carriage. The Coroner, as a result of all this, cautioned the Jury against listening to any current reports of the happenings and adjourned the case.(28) Mary Ann Smith had been the housekeeper of Henry Canny of Elizabeth Street for 17 years. She had borne him children, of whom two were living. She and Jemima Clarkson were in the habit of exchanging delicacies and were well known to one another. George Bennett, a surgeon, described Jemima as a "gross feeder" and added that she was "of plethoric habit". Witnesses were to state that Jemima had dined on roast pig and apple and peach pie that day, after which she had become violently ill, vomiting several times, until at 8pm she collapsed and died. Some were to say that Mountford too, had been ill, after that same meal. Mr Holroyd, the Clarkson's medical attendant for 5 years, declared she died from apoplexy and therefore did not order any post mortem.(29) John Walker, the Cook, stated Jemima had eaten half a pound of beefsteaks at 11am and then at 1.30pm she dined on the pig and pie. She became ill at 2pm and he . thought she had taken a dose of castor oil. He said he had run into Mary Ann Smith in the evening when she remarked that she was thankful she had sent nothing to Jemima that day or else she'd be under suspicion of sending "something wrong". Walker had seen Mary Ann immediately after the wedding and she had said to him "thank God I am Mrs Clarkson, at last --- this is what I have been long Iookinq for --- I am mistress of this house". He stated that Mary Ann and Catherine Pickering had quarrelled the next day and 93 Ref ??? If Only Mrs Pickering was heard to say "you wretch, you know you told me you poisoned the woman". Mary Ann then turned her out of the house. Walker remarked that Catherine Pickering was not sober at the time. Thomas Cousins, a servant of the Canny's, said Mrs Canny (Mary Ann Smith) had sent him to the Clarkson's with a piece of the apple pie that the family were having for dinner, on the very day that Jemima died. This was doubted by Ann Stanton, who maintained she never saw him arrive, although she was in the Clarkson's bar all day. (30) Catherine Pickering told the court she was a married woman but lived alone in Dixon Street. She was acquainted with Mary Ann and Mountford but did not know Jemima. She said Mary Ann had sent for her on the Tuesday before the wedding. Mary Ann introduced Mountford to her as "my seducer", and declared she had left Canny, never to return. Canny had threatened to shoot her with a pistol loaded with buckshot but Mountford had put the weapon in a bucket of water.(31) The day after the wedding there was a dinner at Clarkson's and Pickering had been involved in two rows over young Tom Rowley. Clarkson evicted her because of it and Mary Ann had struck her several times and blackened her eye, declaring "she was not Pickering's wife but his -----; she said now She was Mrs Clarkson she wanted no ----- in her house; I asked her did she know anything about plum pudding and poison. She struck me in the eye".(32) Catherine Pickering claimed that by that remark she was alluding to hearsay from Mr Canny and not from personal observations. Mary Ann had also confided in Mrs Pickering that she'd had a premonition on the day that Jemima died that she would become Mrs Clarkson before too long. Mrs Pickering claimed Mary Ann had said that Mountford would have been a richer man than he was if only Jemima had not given away his money to her friends, and Mountford was said to have asked Mary Ann if she would expect him to discard his stockings and shoes and go out in the rain to clear the gutters.(33) From most witnesses it was generally accepted that Jemima and Mountford Clarkson had lived happily together with their family, and the only dissatisfaction alluded to on Mountford's part was this comment. What was well known was Catherine Pickering's drinking habits. She was known to imbibe heavily and at the time of the quarrel with the Clarksons she admitted she was "in no way drunk, although not as sober as I an now. I saw a constable outside, who told me that the best thing I could do would be to go home". She had had a couple of drinks with Mr Canny, who told her of the "plus pudding and poison".(34) Canny on the other hand claimed to have been constantly drunk since the wedding and remembered nothing of the poison story and also knew nothing of the pie being sent to Jemima. He admitted threatening to shoot Mary Ann after accusing her and Mountford of "improper intercourse", Mountford had denied this was true and the two men had words and it was then that he got the pistol out.(35) The most distressing evidence pitted against Mary Ann came from her own son, Henry Canny Jnr, aged between 13 and 14 years. He supported the fact that Old Tom . had delivered a pie to Jemima that day and he alleged that on another night his mother had served his father ham, with something like flour on the edge of the plate", after which his father was taken ill. At this point in the proceedings Mary Ann exclaimed "My God, is my child going to hang me?" She then fainted, Mr Norrie declared that sulphate of zinc was found in the muscle tissue of Jemima's chest, but Arthur A'Beckett, a surgeon, disagreed. The Coroner decided there was no case 94 Ref ??? If Only against Clarkson and directed that Mountford be acquitted. Mary Ann, however, was found guilty of wilful murder.(36) On both days of the hearing, the court and the police yard were excessively crowded. No order could be maintained and several panes of glass were broken in the court house windows. Access to and from the court was nigh impossible. Such was the interest and excitement generated by the public! On 16 April Mary Ann applied for bail and was granted it --- admitted with a sum of ?200 payable by Mountford and 3 sureties of ?80 and 4 of ?60. Still the fact of the poisoning had not been established and on 26 April Jemima's body was exhumed a second time and exhaustive tests carried out in order to finally determine the guilt or innocence of the female prisoner. The results--- After the most attentive and careful research, we are convinced that not a trace of arsenic, zinc, lead, or other metals, excepting iron, had been in existence. The Attorney-General announced he was unwilling to proceed with the charges and Mary Ann was acquitted. (37) At about this time, Jemima's brother and sister, Thomas and Sarah Fisher, took charge of the Clarkson children and we have established that they were to rear at least two of them, namely Sarah and Thomas, the younger ones. Mountford Clarkson was still listed as the proprietor of the "Spread Eagle" in 1851 but Mary Ann's fate from here is unknown to us.(38) In 1868, when the last of the Clarkson children reached the age of twenty one, 800 acres of land at Jerikonora Creek (near Goulburn) which was left in trust in 1846, by William Thompson to the children, for the purpose of their maintenance and education, was sold by the surviving benefactors to William Budd of Kiama for ?400. The trustees were Richard Driver, gentleman and Thomas Fisher, bootmaker. Dated the 24 February it lists Mountford as being at Lane Cove, but formerly of Sydney, licenced victualler.(39) His eldest son, Mountford John (or John Mountford) was deceased. He had died in 1862 and had been a wheelwright residing in Palmer Street. (40) On 15 July 1868, Thomas Frederick Clarkson (son of Mountford) and bootmaker of Sydney,(41) bought a portion of land adjoining the land of his Aunt, Sarah Cook, from the Widow of Thomas Flood, the original grantee of the 24 acres and he leased the land to his father Mountford, almost immediately.(42) Family sources recall stories of Mountford walking from Lane Cove to Sydney with fruit from his orchards to visit his daughter Sarah Spratt in Buckingham Street, Redfern. Mountford was to remain on this land until his death in 1885. The only marriage mentioned on his death certificate was that to Jemima Fisher.(43) Sarah Spratt was the informant. ------ p202 ------ image ANN When Ann Clarkson was born on 20 March 1815, her father, Thomas Clarkson had just begun to build up his rural estate at Bunburry Curran.(1) Ann was the sixth surviving child of the Clarksons and was the first girl born . to them in the colony. At the time of her arrival, her eldest sister, Catherine, was nearly 17 years of age and brother Mountford (the youngest) was 3. The family were resident in Hunter Street and baptised their new babe with the other youngsters, Sarah, Thomas and Mountford, at the nearby St Phillips Church on 2 June 1816. A notation on both Sarah and Ann's baptism entries indicate they had been 95 Ref ??? If Only previously baptised, (although, where and when this was, we have been unable to establish).(2) On 22 February 1831 Ann Clarkson married William Simons at Goulburn Plains.(3) William Simons was a convict who had arrived in the colony in 1823. He had appeared at the Northampton Assises, England, in the company of Richard Simons (relationship unknown) on 2 March 1822. Both were convicted of the charges of theft levelled at them and both were sentenced to death.(4) The charge was; theft of articles taken from a dwelling house of John Worley of Brington and included Irish cloth, muslin, waistcoat pieces, worsted cord and a great many other articles. (Worley could quite possibly have been a tailor). The Northampton Mercury of 9 March 1822 reported that the two men were to receive the death sentence and whilst William was left for execution, Richard was reprieved before the judge left town. William Simons, was ultimately transported to NSW.(5) The convict indent of the "Surrey", which brought William Simons to the colony in 1823, describes him as being 5 ft 8 inches tall, of fair and ruddy complexion with brown hair and brown eyes.(6) He was assigned to a Mr Tousen of Goulburn and on 7 March 1830, he received his Ticket of Leave.(7) This permitted him to travel between Sydney and Goulburn in his work as a carrier for Tousen, but denied him the privilege of staying in Sydney. This obviously didn't prevent him from meeting and courting Ann Clarkson, who by this time was 15 years old. After their marriage, Ann and William moved to Goulburn, where their son, William Francis was born in September. He was baptised at St Phillip's Church, Sydney, in October of the same year. (1831)(8) Three years later his sister, Mary Ann, who was born on 11 September 1833, was baptised with her cousin, Maria Rowley at St Phillips Church, on Australia Day 1834.(9) During these years of 1831 - 1834, the family of William Simons were resident at Goulburn Plains (which was the old town of Goulburn) and William continued to work as a carrier. He appeared to be engaged in this line of work until 1837, when, as his son, James' baptism indicates, he had become a settler in Goulburn.(10) William appears to have purchased land near Dr. Gibson's grant, prior to this, as in 1832, when Catherine Clarkson was pursuing her elusive grant of 50 acres in Goulburn, she made reference to the young couple in a letter; "my son-in-law and daughter lives in Argyle near Dr. Gibsons".(11) Dr. Gibson was to report, that in 1835, William Simons bought hay from him and made his payment for the same with amounts of Cape Wine and three Filly foals.(12) William was reputedly quite a horseman. It was claimed he rode the distance of 100 miles from Goulburn to Parramatta on a race horse named "Charley's Pork", the journey taking him only one day.(13) A water cart horse, also owned by William, won two hack races at a race meeting in Goulburn. The horse had finished his morning's work before competing in the events. This horse was known as "Bawley".(14) . Around 1837 William purchased from John Tawell, 2 roods in Auburn Street, (just a block away from Catherine Clarkson's block in the same Street). This was one of many holdings the Simons were to have in the town.(15) That same year William and Ann were to lose their little son, Thomas, born in 1835.(16) 96 Ref ??? If Only The census of 1841 shows the Simons resident in Auburn Street with 14 people residing in the house(17) and in October of the same year, William received an Absolute Pardon.(18) William Simons was listed among wool producers in the area in 1849.(19) According to family sources, William and Ann Simons were substantial landholders in Goulburn. A map showing original purchases in the town has Ann Simons name on Lot 18 section 1, in Clinton Street, close to that of John Tawell and Matthew Healey, (prominent pioneers of the area).(20) During the 1840's, Ann's sister, Mary, and her husband William Harris, joined them in Goulburn for a few brief years. They owned the allotment in Auburn Street, which Catherine Clarkson had left to Mary in her Will, and one of William's purchases in Bourke Street.(21) In 1845 William Simons built the well known "Chequers Inn". Here he acted as landlord until his death in 1854 when Ann carried on the running of the establishment. It is reputed that Ann handed over 10 hotels in Sydney to her sons during her lifetime.(22) In 1852, when Ann's daughter, Charlotte was born, William and Ann were resident in Goulburn and William was listed as an inkeeper.(23) During the 1850's "Simon's Senior" was was one of the various dignitaries of the town who formed the first goldmining company.(24) William Simons died on 25 November 1854 at Rhyana, Goulburn.(25) His daughter, Mary Ann, who had married in 1857, drowned accidentally at Tarlo, near Rhyana, just after the birth of her second daughter in 1859.(26) ------ p205 ------ image William and Ann's sixth child, Richard, born 1842, died on 25 April 1862.(27) Ann Simons, aged 49 years, (death certificate says 54 years) died on 27 December 1864 from a disease of the liver. She was buried at Goulburn. She had been resident in Auburn Street, Goulburn.(28) Ann left no Will, but administration of her estate, valued at ?500, was awarded to her son, William Francis Jnr, who, in 1854, had married the widowed Eliza Cartwright of Narriwa.(29) Ironically, having married the year that his father -died, William Simons Jnr, of Forest Lodge near Tarlo, was himself to die the year following his mother's death, -- 1865.(30) Owing to this, his brother, James was awarded the administration of his mother's estate in William Jnr's place, The estate now being valued at a lesser sum of ?200.(31) ------ p207 ------ image ------ p208 ------ image MARY Of all the children of Thomas Clarkson and Catherine Rayson, least is known, by us, of the life of their youngest child, Mary. Born on 19 September 1818, she was baptised at St Phillips Church, Sydney, with her cousin, Thomas Rowley Junior, on 2 January 1819.(1) In 1832 she was still residing with her family in Hunter Street. Her brother, Thomas, made mention to the fact of her being there in a letter he wrote to Sir Francis Forbes . of the Supreme Court. (He was complaining that he was supporting both Mary and her brother Mountford, who were unmarried and living in the same house as "your petitioner").(2) In 1839, when her mother died, Mary was left the portion of land in the town of Goulburn, which her mother had purchased there.(3) It would seem that she moved to Goulburn to live, (perhaps with her sister, Ann), as she was a member of the Goulburn 97 Ref ??? If Only parish when, on 3 February 1840 she married William Harris, also of the parish of Goulburn, in the St Savior Parish, Argyle, in the presence of her brother in law, William Simons and Eliza Marsden.(4) William Harris, the son of James and Elizabeth, was born free in the colony on 9 June 1817,(5) and at the time of his marriage was employed as a Carrier. (This was perhaps in association with William Simons). In 1840 their first child, Catherine was born in Goulburn and at the time her father stated his occupation as Carrier.(6) By the time Johnson, their second child was born, William was employed as a brickmaker in Goulburn.(7) They do not appear in the 1841 census.(8) On 1 January 1842, William and Mary Harris sold the allotment of land in Auburn St which Catherine had left to Mary. By this time there was a "cottage or dwelling house and premises now erected on the said piece of land". There was no mention of an Inn, the "Carriers Arms" which was supposedly licenced to Catherine Clarkson in 1835.(9) This land, allotment 7 of section 2, was sold to John Hillas for ?320.(10) The following month, February 1842, the Harris' bought a block in Bourke Street, Goulburn, from Maurice O'Keefe. It was number 2 of section 9, just a block away. William built a cottage on it and in July they sold this land to Edward Bellamy Kitson for ?320.(11) At St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Sydney in 1847, William and Mary baptised three children, born between 1844 and 1847.(12) Their residence was given as Rushcutter's Bay and this time William declared himself a Farmer. It would appear that the Harris family had moved to Sydney not long after selling up in Goulburn in 1842. ------ p210 ------ image The WOODMAN became the SIR MAURICE O'CONNELL HOTEL after it was sold to James Holt in 1841. In 1842 a licence was issued in that name to Thomas Hill. [AO Publican's Licences] THOMAS CLARKSON II MERCHANT During the course of our investigations into the affairs of Thomas Clarkson, we noticed the arrival in the colony of NSW, of another man bearing the same name, and entering into pursuits of a similar nature. This Thomas Clarkson established himself as a merchant in Sydney Town and advertised his wares regularly in the Sydney Gazette. Often these two men have been mistaken for a sole identity and the affairs of Thomas Clarkson II (as we have named him) have been confused with our own Thomas. Even the signatures of the two men were similar, but a careful study of this enabled us to locate differences which aided our identification of the writers of the documents we perused. Other differences in their backgrounds, social class and residences, also helped to sort out their affairs. Prior to his arrival in the colony, Thomas Clarkson II had been a Merchant Seaman, employed by the East India Company. He stated himself that he'd been in the Merchant Service for 18 years and during this time he had gained "considerabIe experience in . navigation and had studied Maritime Surveying whenever he could".(1) As a result of his being at sea during the conflicts between France and England, he had been captured and had spent 5 years in a French Prison.(2) Thomas Clarkson II arrived in the colony on 22 January 1822 as Chief Officer on the "Tiger", under the command of Captain Brash.(3) The ship left the colony on 22 March, bound for Van Dieman's Land and the Cape of Good Hope. We know Thomas Clarkson II 98 Ref ??? If Only was aboard as Chief Officer, as he advertised his intentions to leave in the Sydney Gazette.(4) A difference of opinion between the Captain and his Chief Officer resulted in Thomas Clarkson II being removed from the ship to answer charges brought against him in the Lieutenant Governor's Court in Van Dieman's Land. (The nature of the incident and those of the charges, we have not investigated) But Thomas Clarkson II, having been cleared of all blame, returned to Sydney on the "Castle Forbes" on 13 August 1822.(5) (A search of the muster of 1822 does not include this Thomas Clarkson's name.)(6) Four days later, Thomas Clarkson II petitioned Governor Brisbane for a position of employment and offered the name of Thomas Icely, a Sydney Merchant, who would furnish a reference in Clarkson's favour if this was required.(7) He was granted 800 acres in the County of Argyle, on the Wollondilly River, which he later leased to John Dickson.(8) In November 1822, Thomas Clarkson II petitioned the Governor that as he was now "desirous to direct my whole attention to the cultivation of land and to become a settler", he requested he be granted a portion of land in Van Dieman's Land which would enable him to support 5 men without the aid of the Government, and to provide them with work.(9) On 15 July 1824, Thomas Clarkson II wrote to Sir Thomas Brisbane from his residence at 98 Pitt St. Sydney, asking for a reserve of 12,000 acres of land, adjacent to his recently granted 800 acres in Argyle. He stated that he had already written to "my friends in England in order to obtain confirmation" of the grant "from his Majesty's Ministers". He added that "in addition to my former property, I have received considerable investment by the "Adrian", the proceeds of which will enable me to commence on my land on a large scale immediately".(10) He later took possession of 12,000 acres in the County of Auckland. The Sydney Gazette of 19 May 1825 shows that Thomas Clarkson II opened stores at number 2 O'Connell Street, adjoining the Colonial Treasurer's building(11) and on 5 January 1826, he was in a position to expand to another store at number 3 Pitt Street, this one adjoining Samuel Terry's premises. From here he advertised goods for sale quite regularly in the paper, goods such as; Red Cape wine, Brandy, Madeira, Claret, gunpowder, cloth and cotton stockings, black silk handkerchiefs and sugar by the bag; "Wheat, maize or other Colonial property, taken in payment".(12) From Dowling Street in England, Under Secretary, Hay, wrote to Governor Darling on 16 March 1826, urging him to offer his assistance, in whatever manner he could, to one Thomas Clarkson, Merchant of Sydney.(13) During 1826, Thomas Clarkson II took an active interest in the formation of the Third Bank of Australia --The Sydney Banking Company-- (14) and in July he attended a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce,(15) thus truely involving himself in community affairs. On 8 March he advertised a cottage in Upper Castlereagh Street for let. The owner was apparently going to Hobart Town for a period of not less than 3 months, in order to take advantage of the climate there. Whether this was Thomas himself or a "client" . for whom he was acting as letting agent, is not clear.(16) September 1826 saw him present on a panel of jurors at the Court of Quarter Sessions.(17) In November he charged George Howard with stealing three glass tumblers and a blanket from him; Howard was acquitted of the charge.(18) 99 Ref ??? If Only The Sydney Gazette of 7 March 1828 reported that John Cummings was convicted of the theft of twenty yards of broadcloth from the dwelling of Mr Clarkson of Pitt Street, Sydney.(19) In the census tabled the same year (1828) the family was listed so; Thomas Clarkson, 29 years old, arrived per "Tiger'` in 1822, came free. Mary, born in the colony, aged 18 years. Thomas Ormonde Clarkson, aged 1 year, born in the colony. With them, at their residence in Princes Street, was Sarah Johnson, aged 48, who had come to the colony in 1825 on the "Marina". She was employed by the Clarkson's as a servant. (20) In 1829, the sheriff sold Thomas Clarkson II's 120 acres on the Hunter River at Foybrook. This was executed as a result of an action in debt, brought against Clarkson by Samuel Terry.(21) That same year, Thomas Clarkson II wrote to Governor Darling offering himself as a candidate for the newly created position of Superintendent of the Slaughter House. He stated he had been resident in the colony nearly 8 years and during that time "had engaged in mercantile pursuits, but from various failures in speculation, in addition to the pressure of the successive bad harvests", he had been unable to recoup the money owed him.(22) During the years of 1826 - 1828, Thomas Clarkson II appears to have made many court appearances defending and initiating proceedings to recover debts. These bear a striking resemblance to the court appearances of our own Thomas Clarkson. It would appear that they were to suffer similar fates as concerns their business interests; that of great loss. The financial collapse of his business enterprises reduced Thomas Clarkson II "to a state of extreme want", so much so that he was compelled "to seek asylum at a friend's house".(23) On 26 March 1832, Thomas Clarkson II died in Sydney Hospital. His death is recorded in the Parish Register of St James Church; (24) Thomas Clarkson, aged 32 years, a broker, who arrived on the "Tiger". The NSW Calendar and General Post Office Directory lists a Thomas Clarkson as an agent in York Street, this would possibly have been where he was just prior to his death.(25) A notice, dated 10 June 1850, appeared in the Sydney Gazette which gave the residence of Thomas Ormonde Clarkson (his son) as Everleigh House, Chippendale.(26) Three years later, on the 17 March 1853 the death of Thomas Ormonde Clarkson was reported as follows;(27) On the 5th instant. at the Namoi River, Thomas Ormonde Clarkson, Esq. aged 25 years ------ p214 ------ image ------ p215 ------ image ------ p216 ------ image . ------ p217 ------ image HOW TO TRACE YOUR FAMILY TREE. The first and most important step is to work from the known facts. Most people know who their parents and grandparents are. 100 Ref ??? If Only By obtaining your parent's marriage certificate, you will get the two parties concerned. Showing; Details of the name and age of each person, their residential address, place of birth, place of marriage and also both parties' parents will be included. From here you can then get the grandparent's marriages, this in turn will give you another four people to trace. The Index of Birth, Death and Marriages are on Micro Fiche and are held in some Council Libraries and can be used free of charge. From these indexes, you can obtain the numbers for the relevant person's certificate you are tracing, and when applying to Births, Deaths and Marriages, you will then get your certificate for $9.00 instead of $13.00 by not having the number. Another good source for family tree research is local newspapers which detail Births and Deaths and in some cases, marriages. The Obituary of a descendant can also be very helpful. One of the most helpful places to go is to a Mormon Church Library which holds records for most countries around the world. These Libraries are manned by voluntary staff who are only too pleased to help you and will guide you on your way. The only cost involved at the Church Library is if you do find an entry which pertains to your ancestor and you wish to order the source film that covers this, it will cost you $5.00 to do so. The Archives Office in Globe Street, The Rocks, Sydney, is also a very valuable source of information. They hold shipping records, Coroner's Inquests. Government records, Convict records, Tickets of Leave records and so forth. The Mitchell Library in the State Library, Sydney is also a good source for an assortment of information. We have enclosed in this book, a blank Pedigree Chart and some blank family group charts for you to use. Fill in what you already know and you will be surprised at how much you already have to begin working with. ABBREVIATIONS A.B.G. Aris' Birmingham Gazette A.O. Archives Office of New South Wales B.Des Bourke's Despatches B.D.M. Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages B.Mag Bench Magistrates B.T. Bonwick Transcripts C of C Court of Claims C of CJ Court of Civil Jurisdiction C of EQ Court of Equity C of F Certificate of Freedom C of T Certificate of Title C. INQ Coroner's Inquest . C.RE P.Rec Cases relating to Probate C.L.O. Crown Lands Office C.S. Colonial Secretary C.S.IN Colonial Secretary Letters Received CEM REC Cemetery Records CON IND Convict Indent Ref ??? If Only 101 FOL Folio G.C. Governor's Court G.ENC Grolier Australian Encyclopaedia G.I. Grants Index H.O. Home Office H.R.A. Historical Records of Australia IBID Same as above L.COMM Land Commissioners L.D.S. Latter Day Saints L.T.O. Lands Titles Office M.L. Mitchell Library MUS Musters O.R.B. Old Registers Book P.REC Probate Records P.APP Primary Application P.R.O. Public Records Office PUB IND Publican's Index R.A.H.S. Royal Australian Historical Society REG Register S.C. Supreme Court S.G. Sydney Gazette S.HER Sydney Herald S.L. State Library S.M.H. Sydney Morning Herald SC.of CJ Supreme Court of Civil Jurisdiction SC.of CRM J Supreme Court of Criminal Jurisdiction VEN BK Vendors Book VOL Volume W.P. Wentworth Papers WENT L.L. Wentwozth' s Legal Letters Introduction 1. Birmingham Library Records 2. Kingsbury Parish Records 3. IBID CHAPTER 1 1. A.B.G. 1 April 1805 2. 2. A.0. C.S. CON IND Alexander 3. A.B.G. 1 April 1805 4. 4. Warwickshire Library, Warwickshire 5. Warwichshire County Records Office 6. L.D.S. Bedworth Parish Records 7. L.D.S. Kingsbury Parish Records . 8. B.D.M. 9, L.D.S. Birmingham Parish Records 10. IBID 11. A.O. C.S. CON IND Alexander 12. A.O. C.S. B. Mag Reel 656 13. L.T.O. O.R.B. 2/16/44B 102 Ref ??? If Only 14. L.T.O. O.R.B. 5/10/403 15. A.O. C.S. MUS Reel 1256 16. A.O. C.S. MUS Reel 1256 17. L.T.O. O.R.B. 6/8/1296 18. M,L. A753 W.P. pg 42 19. L.T.O. O.R.B. 6/42/1442 20. B.D.M. 21. A.B.G. 1 April 1805 22. M.L. H.O. 13/17 pg 135 23. M.L. H.O. 13/17 pg 134 24. A.0. C.S. Reel 2421 2/8259 25. A.O. C.S. CON IND Alexander 26. S.G. 24 August 1806 27. IBID 28. G. ENC Vol 3 pg 1506 29. A.O. C of C Reel 1203 30. S.G. 19 November 1806 31. A.O. C.S. B. Mag Reel 656 32. A.O. C.S. B. Mag Reel 657 33. IBID 34. L.T.O. O.R.B. 35. L.T.O. O.R.B. 40/282 CHAPTER 2 1. S.G. 4 January 1810 2. IBID 3. B.D.M. 4. A.O. C.S.- IN Reel 1227 4/1846 5. A.0. C.S. IN COD 18 6. S.G. 21 July 1810 7. IBID 8. S.G. Nov 1809 9. S.G. 27 October 1810 10. L.T.O. O.R.B. 5/162/835 11. S.G. 27 Oct 1810 12. IBID 13. S.G. 22 December 1810 14. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 2158 4/1779 15. S.G. 22 December 1810 16. L.T.O. O.R.B. 5/1/367 17. L.T.O. O.R.B. 5/1/366 18. S.G. 16 March 1811 19. A.0. C.S. IN COD 18 . 20. S.G. 22 December 1810 21. S.G. 1 June 1811 22. B.D.M. 23. IBID 24. A.0. C of CJ 4/1724 & 2/8138 103 Ref ??? If Only 25. IBID 26. IBID 27. S.G. 17 July 1813 Supp. 28. S.G. 30 September 1815 29. A.0. C.S. B. Mag COD 235 30. IBID 31. L.T.O. O.R.B. 5/126/746 32. L.T.O. O.R.B. 5/125/745 33. A.O. C.S. C. INQ Reel 2725 34. S.G. 24 August 1811 35. L.T.O. O.R.B. 5/126/747 36. L.T.O. O.R.B. 7/74/308 37. L.T.O. O.R.B, 7/112/366 38. L.T.O. Grants Index REG 3 FOL 31 39. B.D.M. 40. Kingsbury Parish Records 41. A.O. C of C Reel 1203 42. L.T.O. O.R.B. 1/146/1134 43. L.T.O. O.R.B. 5/201/953 44. L.T,O. O.R.B. 5/133/759 45. L.T.O. O.R.B. 5/201/954 46. A.O. C of C Reel 1203 47. IBID 48. L.T.O. O,R.B. 5/162/835 49. L.T.O. O.R.B. 5/241/1028 50. S.G. 27 March 1813 , 51. IBID 52. H.R.A. Series 1 VOL 8 D Macquarie to Croker 53. IBID 54. IBID 55. A.O. C of C Reel 1203 56. IBID 57. IBID 58. IBID 59. L.T.O. O.R.B. 5/41/491 60. L.T.O. O.R.B. 5/206/959 61. C.L.O. City Section No 40 62. L.T.O. O.R.B. 5/282/1140 63. S.G. 18 December 1813 64. S.G. 9 July 1814 65. Various Mortgages 1820 66. S.G. 9 July 1814 67. L.T.O. O.R.B. 6/13/1308 . 68. L.T.O. O.R.B. 6/275/1118 69. L.T.O. O.R.B. 6/13/1308 70. L.T.O. O.R.B. 8/163/241 71. A.O. C.S. re Land Baker Reel 1093 72. L.T,O. O.R.B. 6/62/1420 73. L.T.O. O.R.B. 9/9/14 104 Ref ??? If Only 74. L.T.O. O.R.B. 6/255/19 75. L.T.O. O.R.B. 6/27/1343 76. L.T.O. O.R.B. 6/17/1317 CHAPTER 3 1. L.T.O. O.R.B. 5/127/749 2. L.T.O. O.R.B. 5/126/248 3. L.T.O. O.R.B. 7/-/253 4. L.T.O. O.R.B. 5/261/1079 5. L.T.O. O.R.B. 5/264/1088 6. S.G. October 1813 7. L.T.O. O.R.B. 6/62/1420 8. S.G. 17 October 1817 9. L.T.O. O.R.B. 5/294/1186 & 1187 & 1188 10. IBID = 11. L.T.O. O.R.B. 6/6/1291 12. S.G. 1 April 1815 13. A.O. C,S. MUS Reel 1252 14. A.O. C.S. IN P.M.S. Reel 1227 4/1846 15. B.D.M. 16. S.G. 27 March 1815 17. S.G. 22 August 1815 18. L.T.O. O.R.B. 6/26/149 19. L.T.O. O.R.B. 6/151/27 20. S.G. 1 April 1815 21. S.G. 25 May 1816 22. IBID 23. L.T.O. P.APP 6878 24. IBID 25. L.T.O. Grants Index No 4 pg 177 26. L.T.O. P.APP 6878 27. IBID 28. L.T.O. Grants Index No 2 pg 84 29. L.T.O. P.APP 6878 30. L.T.O. O.R.B. 7/153/422 31. L.T.O. P.APP 6878 32. L.T.O. O.R.B. 6/327/129 33. L.T.O. P.APP 6878 34. IBID 35. L.T.O. O.R.B, 7/155/426 36. L.T.O. Grants Index BK 7 No 4 37. L.T.O. O.R.B. 7/156/427 38. L.T.O. P.APP 31599 . 39. IBID 40. B.D.M. 41. L.T.O. O.R.B. A 1817 No 129 42. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 1069 4/1829 43. IBID 44. L.T.O. P.APP 6878 105 Ref ??? If Only 45. S.G. 25 May 1816 46. S.G. 17 August 1816 47. S.G. 18 October 1817 48. S.G. 27 June 1818 49. S.G. 3 February 1821 50. S.G. 3 March 1821 51. S.G. 4 December 1823 52. L.T.O. O.R.B. 7/155/426 53. L.T.O. P.APP 35822 54. L.T.O. P.APP 35822 55. IBID 56. L.T.O. P.APP 6878 57. L.T.O. O.R.B. C/1819/4 58. L.T.O. VEN BK 21/890 59. A.O. 1828 Census 60. L,T.O. O.R.B. 9/9/15 61. A.O. 1828 Census 62. L.T.O. O.R.B. 9/9/15 63. L.T.O. VEN BK 21/890 64. L.T.O. O.R.B. 9/9/15 65. L.T.O. VEN BK 21/890 & 21/88' 66. L.T.O. O.R.B. 9/9/15 67. A.O. C of EQ 7/3424 68. L.T.O. VEND BK 21/889/890 69. B.D.M. 70. S,G. ???? 71. B.D.M. 72. IBID 73. S.G. 20 August 1828 74. L.T.O. P.APP 6878 75. B.D.M. 76. L.T.O. P.APP 6878 77. IBID & B.D,M. 78. L.T.O. P.APP 6878 79. IBID 80. IBID 81. Library Campbelltown 82. L.T.O. P.APP 6878 83. IBID 84. IBID 85. Campbelltown Council 86. L.T.O. P.APP 6878 . 87. Campbelltown Council 88. IBID 89. L.T.O. Map Room 90. L.T.O. VOL 1326 FOL 118 91. L.T.O. VOL 3407 FOL 111/112 106 Ref ??? If Only 92. IBID 93. L.T.O. VOL 3642 FOL 204 94. IBID 95. L.T.O. VOL 5002 FOL 241 96. L.T.O. VOL 5363 FOL 102/105 97. L.T.O. VOL 5363 FOL 100 98. IBID 99. L.T.O. VOL 10643 FOL 40 100. L.T.O. VOL 11494 FOL 102 CHAPTER 4 1. B.D.M. 2. A.0. C.S. IN Reel 1227 4/1846 3. A.O. C.S. MUS Reel 1252 4/1224 4. B.D.M. 5. S.G. 1 July 1820 6. A.O. Ships Musters C.O.D. 420 7. A.O. C.S. MUS Reel 1253 8. P. REC 9. A.O. P.R.O. 66 10. A.O. C.S. IN 4/1840 Mem 129 11. A.O. Census 1828 12. A.O. C. RE P. Rec 6/4190 13. L.T.O. VEN BK W/116 CHAPTER 5 1. G. ENC 2. A.O. G.C. 4/7860 No 79 3. A.O. C.S. B.Mag Reel 657 4. L.T.O. O.R.B. 5/125/745 5. A.0. C.S. IN Reel 2159 6. A.0. G.C. 4/7860 No 102 7. A.0. G.C. 4/7860 No 183 8. L.T.O. O.R.B. Pg No 9. L.T,O. O,R.B. 6/13/1308 10. A.0. G.C. 4/7860 No 183 11. IBID 12. IBID 13. S.G. 5 July 1817 14. L.T.O. O.R.B. 6/225/19 15. S.G. 1828 16. A.O. 1828 Census 17. M.L. B.T. Box 24 pa 5174-5 18. L.T.O. O,R.B. 6/151/27 19. L.T.O. O.R.B. 6/225/19 . 20. Yvonne Browning -- The First 21 Years Cleveland House 21. A.O, C.S. CON IND Scarborough 1790 22. L.T.O. Grants Index 1809 23. S.G. 26 March 1814 24. L,T.O. O.R.B. 6/209/21 25. A.O. SC of CJ 9/2216 No 85 107 Ref ??? If Only 26. IBID 27. IBID 28. IBID 29. S.G. 14 August 1819 30. L.T.O. O.R.B. Book C 1819 No 110 31. Yvonne Browning -- The First 21 Years Cleveland House 32. L.T.O. Map 33. B.D.M. 34. A.O. SC of CJ 9/2216 No 85 35. A.O. SC of CJ 9/2222 No 249/250 36. L.T.O. O.R,B, 6/225/19 37. L.T.O. O.R.B. 7/223/515 38. IBID 39. L.T.O. O.R.B. 7/224/516 40. A.O. SC of CJ 9/2219 No 169 41. IBID 42. L.T.O. O.R.B. 7/34/308 43. IBID 44. L.T.O. O.R.B. 7/112/366 45. S.G. 14 August 1819 46. IBID 47. A.O. G.C. 4/7862 No 173 48. M.L. B.T. Box 20 pg 3320 49. IBID 50. S.G. 14 August 1819 51. L.T.O. G.I. REG 3 FOL 31 52. S.G. 1 April 1820 53. A.O. C.S. IN Real 2167 4/1749 54. S.G. 23 June 1821 55. E.C. Rowland. ST James, Sydney, Parsonage Site. Journal of the R.A.H.S. VOL 37 pg 251-55 56. IBID 57. A.O. C.S. B.Mag Reel 659 pg 146-7 58. IBID 59. A,O. SC of CJ 9/2217 No 127 60. IBID 61. A.O. SC of CJ 9/2217 No 247 62. A.O. C.S. MUS Reel 1256 4/1228 63. IBID 64. B.D,M. 65. A,O. C.S. IN Real 1069 4/1829 66. A.O. C.S. MUS Real 1256 4/1226 . CHAPTER 6 1. S.G. 13 February 1819 2. S.G. Jan 1810 3. S.G. 18 April 1818 4. L.T.O. O.R.B. 7/298/501 5. L.T.O. O.R.B. B/1819/599 108 Ref ??? If Only 6. L.T.O. O.R.B. 8/163/241 7. S.G. 17 February 1821 8. S.G. November 1826 9. L.T.O. O.R.B. 7/325/624 10. A.0. SC of CJ 9/2219 No 182 11. IBID 12. A.O. G.C. 4/7862 No 77 13. A.0. SC of CJ 9/2253 No 225 14. S.G. 14 August 1819 15. L.T.O. O.R.B. C/1819/110 16. A.O. SC of CJ 9/2253 No 225 17. IBID 18. IBID 19. IBID 20. IBID 21. S.G. 4 December 1819 22. A.O. SC of CJ 9/2228 No 362 23. IBID 24. IBID 25. IBID 26. A.O. SC of CJ 9/2229 No 235 27. A.O. S1' of CJ 4/6604 28. A.O. IBID 2/3142 29. IBID 30. A.O. SC of CJ 9/2222 No249 31. IBID 32. IBID 33. A.O. SC of CJ 9/2222 No 250 34. IBID 35. L.T.O. O.R.B. 8/113/144 36. IBID 37. IBID 38. L.T.O. O.R.B. 8/100/127 39. A.O. G.C. 4/7862 No 76 40. A.O. SC of CJ 9/???? No 150 41. L.T.O. O.R.B. 8/92/117 42. L.T.O. G.I. Series 8 pg 27 CHAPTER 7 1. A History of Australia pg 388 2. S.G. 6 May 1820 3. A.0. SC of CJ 9/2224 No 280 4. A.O, SC of CJ 9/2224 No227 5. IBID . 6. A.O. SC of CJ 9/2225 No 290 7. IBID 8. A.O, SC of CJ 9/2227 No336 9. IBID 10. L.T.O. O.R.B. 8/163/241 11. S.G. 14 April 1821 109 Ref ??? If Only 12. S.G. 2 June 1821 13. L.T.O. O.R.B. C/1821/395 14. S.G. 9 June 1821 15. IBID 16. L.T.O. O.R.B. C/1821/397 17. S.G. 23 June 1821 18. IBID 19. M.L. B.T. Box 24 pg 5174/5 20. L.T.O. O.R.B. 8/232/358 21. IBID 22. A.O. SC of CJ Reel 2666 23. IBID 24. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 2183 4/1793 25. A.0. C.S. IN Real 619 4/1875 26. IBID 27. A.O. G.C. 4/7863 No 397 28. L.T.O. O.R.B. 6/327/129 29. IBID 30. A.0. C.S. IN Reel 1069 4/1829 31. L.T.O. P.APP 6878 32. IBID 33. L.T.O, P.APP 6878 notation on grant 34. A.0. C.S. IN Reel 1069 4/1829 35. IBID 36. L.T.O. P.APP 6878 37. S.G. 25 May 1816 38. M.L. A765 Memorial 39. A.0. P.R.O, Reel 72 40. A.O. G.C. 4/7863 No 381 41. S.G. 24 May 1822 42. A.O. G.C. 4/7865 No 582 43. L.T.O. O.A.B. 6/324/527 44. L.T.O. G.I. REG 4 p9 195 45. L.T.O. O.R.B. 8/3'24/517 46. M.L. A1493 NSW & Vic. misc. Papers 1817-73 47. L,T.O. O.R.B. D/1822/15 48. IBID 49. L.T.O. O.R.B. D/1822/14 50. A.O. G.C. 4/7865 No 78 51. S.G. 1823 52. A,O. G.C. 4/7865 No54 53. S.G. 10 April 1823 . 54. A,O. G.C. 4/7865 No 54 55. S.G. 10 April 1823 56. A,O. SC of CJ 9/2224 No 271 57. IBID 58. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 2175 No306 CHAPTER 8 110 Ref ??? If Only 1. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 1073 4/1836 2. L.T.O. O.R.B. 9/60/97 3. A.O. SC of CJ 9/5204 No 14 4. P.REC 5. B.D.M. PART TWO CHAPTER I 1. S.G. 4 April 1824 2. A.0. Map SZ 463 1828 3. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 2158 4/1779 4. B.D.M. 5. A.O. C.S. CON IND Larkins 6. A.O. C.S. MUS Reel 1253 7. S.G. 11 March 1824 8. B.D.M. 9. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 2183 10. IBID 11. S.G. 5 June 1824 12. A.O. SC of CJ 9/5204 No 14 13. IBID 14. IBID 15. IBID 16. IBID 17. L.T.O. O.R.B. 9/9/14 18. IBID 19. IBID 20. IBID 21. M.L. A753 WENT L.L. 22. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 1110 4/1840 23. S.G. 3 March 1825 24. A.0. Map SZ 463 25. A.O. C.S. P.R.O. 66 26. A.O. SC of CJ 9/5204 No 14 27. M.L. A753 WENT L.L. 28. A.O. SC of CJ 9/5204 No 21 29. M.L.A753 WENT L.L. 30. IBID 31. IBID CHAPTER 2 1. A.O. SC of CJ 9/5204 No 14 2.IBID 3. S.G. 26 January 1826 4. S.G. 12 December 1826 . 5. A.O. C.S. re land Reel 1093 6. L.T.O. VEN BK Book D No 666 7. L.T.O. VEN BK Book D No 667 8. A.0. PUB IND 9. S.G. 3 February 1828 10. S.G. 23 July 1828 111 Ref ??? If Only 11. B.D.M. 12. S.HER April 1831 13. L.T.O. VEN BK D/704 14. L.T.O. VEN BK Q/34 15. A.O. 1828 Census 16. IBID 17. IBID 18. S.G. 5 February 1829 19. A.O. C.S. re land Reel 1093 20. A.O. C of C(land) Reel 1203 21. A.O. C.S. re land Real 1093 22. S.G. 28 July 1828 23. IBID 24. A.O. SC of CRM J Reel 2666 25. A.O. SC of CJ 9/5247 No 120 26. S.HER 9 July 1831 27. IBID 28. IBID 29. IBID 30. A.O. C of C Reel 1203 31. IBID 32. B.D.M. 5146 VOL 3 33. L.T.O. VEN BK A/677 34. B.D.M. 35. A.0. C.S. re land Reel 1110 31/4805 36. IBID 37. A.O. C.S. re land Reel 1110 - Clarkson 38. A.0. C.S. re land Reel 1093 Bigge & Clarkson 39. A.O. C.S, re land Reel 1110 32/ 1048 40. IBID 41. A.0. C.S. re land Reel 1110 34/4795 42. L.T.O. G.I. Serial 37 pg 58 43. P. REC 44..B.D.M. 45. L.T.O. YEN BK Z/174 46. M.L. A1211 B. Des 47. L.T.O. VEN BK D/941 48. A.0. C. RE P.Rec 6/4190 49. IBID 50. IBID 51. A.O. C of EQ 7/3424 52. A.O. C of C Reel 1203 . 53. A.O. C of EQ 7/3424 54. IBID 55. IBID 56. IBID 57. IBID 58. IBID 112 Ref ??? If Only 59. IBID 60. IBID 61. A.O. C of C Reel 1203 62. A.O. C of EQ 7/3424 63. IBID 64. IBID 65. IBID 66. IBID 67. A.O. C of C Reel 1203 68. L.T.O. VEN BK Book F No 577 69. IBID 70. A.O. C.S. L.COMM Reel 2795 71. IBID 72. IBID 73. IBID 74. IBID 75. IBID 76. IBID 77. IBID 78. IBID 79. IBID 80. L.T.O. Grants Index REG No 4 pg 11 CHAPTER 3 1. A.0. PUB IND 2. A.O. PUB IND 33/341 3. A.0. C.S. Reel 591 X646 4. IBID 5. IBID 6. P.REC 1293-1 7. B.D.M. 8. CEM REC Botant Trust 9. L.T.O. VEN BK W/116 10. Various Land Grants & Doves map 11. A.0. PUB IND No 477 12. A.O, PUB IND No's 228. 85, 262, 244 13. L.T.O. VEN BK 775/8 14. L.T.O. VEN BK 983/47 15. L.T.O. VEN BK 91/54 16. L.T.O. VEN BK 983/47 17. L.T.O. VEN BK 563/58 18. L.T.O. P.APP 15288 CATHERINE ROWLEY . 1. Kingsbury Parish Registers 2. A.O. Census 1828 3. A.O. C.S. B Mag COD 235 4. L.T.O. O.R.B. 6/27/1343 5. B.D.M. 6. IBID 113 Ref ??? If Only 7. Information supplied by Ian Ramage 8. P. REC 9. A.O. C of EQ 7/3424 10. 1814 Muster 11. S.G. 1816 12. S.G. 15 February 1817 13. L.T.O. O.R.B. 21 Feb 1820 14. CEM REC 15. Information supplied by Ian Ramage 16. L.T.O. VEN BK 704/D 17. B.D.M, 18. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 1069 4/1829 19. A.O. C.S. MUS Reel 1253 20. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 620 4/1715 21. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 587 4/1775 22. L.T.O. G.I. REG 4 FOL 33 23. L.T.O. O.R.B. D/1822/14 24. L.T.O. VEN BK 890/21 25. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 1076 4/1839 26. B.D.M. 27. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 1076 4/1839 28. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 587 4/1775 29. L.T.O. VEN BK A/71 30. B.D.M. 31. A.O.SC of CJ 9/5210 32. A.O. 1828 Census 33. S.G. 1828 34. L.T.O. VEN BK 704/D 35. B.D.M. 36. M.L. B. Des A/1215 37. A.O. C.S. Depasturing Licence 8 Dec 1836 38. L.T.O. VEN BK 116/W ' 39. S.L. S.M.H. 3 June 1850 40. B.D.M. 41. B.D.M. SARAH COOK 1. B.D.M. 2. A.O. 1828 Census 3. B.D.M. 4. L.T.O. O.R.B. C/1819/4 5. A.O. CON IND Larkins 1817 6. Trial of Michael Cook 7. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 1029 . 8. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 1253 9. A.O. C.S. IN C of F 10. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 1253 11. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 620 4/1715 12. B.D.M. 13. IBID 114 Ref ??? If Only 14. S.G. 1 March 1824 15. A.O. P.R.O. Reel 66 16. B.D.M. 17. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 2183 18. IBID 19. IBID 20. L.T.O. VEN BK A/71 21. A.O. 1828 Census 22. A.O. C.S. re land Reel 1083 Ansell 23. A.O. C.S. re land Reel 1112 Cooke 24. C.L.O. Survey Map 22.690 25. A.O. SC of CJ 9/5341 26. B.D.M. 27. L.T.O. P.APP 296 28. L.T.O. VOL CLVIII FOL 217/O 29. L.T.O. VEND 1W 60/656 30. P.REC 31. L.T.O. VOL 702 FOL 59 VOL 702 FOL 61 VOL 702 FOL 58 32. L.T.O. VOL 702 FOL 60 33. L.T.O. VOL 114 FOL 35 34. B.D.M. 35. C.L.O. Survey Map 585.2030 36. L.T.O. VOL 702 FOL 58, 59, 61. 37. L.T.O. C of T 38. L.T.O. VOL 5493 FOL 119 39. CEM REC 40. A.0. CON IND Larkins 41. IBID 42. IBID 43. A.0. C.S. IN Reel 1029 4/3497 44. B.D.M. 45. B.D.M. 46. A.0. C.S. IN 2183 47. A.0. C of F 48. L.T.O. G.I. 30/6/23 No 25 49. A.O. 1828 Census 50. B.D.M. THOMAS CLARKSON JUNIOR 1. B.D.M. 2. B.D.M. 3. S,G. 25 June 1824 . 4. Soc. of Aust Genealogists 5. B.D.M. 6. A.O. C RE P. Rec 1832 6/4190 7. A.0. C.S, re land Reel 1110 8. B.D.M. 9. L.T.O. VEN BK D/666 115 Ref ??? If Only 10. L.T.O. VEN BK D/677 11. L.T.O. VEN BK D/941 12. A.O. C.S. X645 Reel 591 13. L.T.O. VEN BK W/144 14. Low's Directory 1844-45 15. Ford's Directory "In Sydney" 1851 16. B.D.M. 17. B.D.M. 18. to 30. Information supplied by Kath. Stokes MOUNTFORD CLARKSON 1. B.D.M. 2. A.0. C of C Reel 1203 3. IBID 4. A.O. 1828 Census 5. Early Sydney Cabinetmakers - 1804 - 1870 by John Earnshaw, 6. A.O'. 1828 Census 7. A.0. C of EQ 7/3424 8. L.T,O. VEN BK D/667 9. B.D.M. 10. IBID 11. A.0. 1828 Census 12. Early Sydney Cabinetmakers 1804 - 1870 by John Earnshaw 13. Australian 1 February 1842 14. Australian 7 April 1842 15. IBID 16. B.D.M. 17. A.0. PUB IND 18. B.D.M. 19. Early Sydney Cabinetmakers 1804 - 1870 by John Earnshaw 20. B.D.M. 21. Low's Directory 1844-45 22. S,M.H. 24 October 1842 23. L.T.O. VEN BK W/362 24. B.D.M. 25. S.M.H. 5 February 1850 26. B.D.M. 27. to 37. 19 March 1850 20 March 1850 Information came 2 April 1850 from a cross 3 April 1850 section of these 6 April 1850 various dates. 11 April 1850 . 16 April 1850 19 April 1650 21 May 1850 13 June 1850 38. Fords Directory "In Sydney" 1851 39. L.T.O. VEN BK 226/?(illegible) 116 Ref ??? If Only 40. B.D.M. 41. L.T.O. YEN BK 167/108 42. L.T.O. VEN BK 167/111 43. B.D.M. ANN SIMONS 1. B,D.M. 2. IBID 3. IBID 4. Northampton Mercury 2 March 1822 5. IBID 9 March 1822 (No's 9& 5 by Marie Atkins) 6. A.O. CON IND Surrey 1823 7. Information per Marie Atkins 8. B.D.M. 9. IBID 10. IBID 11. A.O. C,S. re land Reel 1110 12. A History of Goulburn. by Wyatt 13. IBID 14. IBID 15. Map supplied by Marie Atkins 16. B.D.M. 17. A.0. 1841 Census X 946 No 19 18. Information by Marie Atkins 19. A History of Goulburn. by Wyatt 20. Information by Marie Atkins 21. L.T.O. YEN BK 2/174 22. A History of Goulburn. by Wyatt 23. B,D.M, 24. A History of Goulburn. by Wyatt 25. B.D.M. 26. IBID 27. IBID 28. IBID 29. IBID 30. IBID 31. P.REC MARY HARRIS 1. B.D.M. 2. A.O. C.S. Citation 6/41f0 3. P.REC 4. B.D.M. 5. IBID 6. IBID . 7. IBID 8. A.O. 1841 Can" 9. A.O. Publican's Licence 35/185 10. L.T.O. VEN BK 2/174 11. L.T.O. YEN BK 2/617 12. B.D.M. 117 Ref ??? If Only THOMAS CLARKSON II -- MERCHANT 1. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 616 4/1864 2. IBID 3. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 1069 4/1829 4. S,G. 16 August 1822 5. S.G. 16 May 1822 6. A.O. C.S. MUS P.R.O. Reel 66 7. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 616 4/1864 8. L.T.O. YEN BK A/17 9. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 1069 4/1829 10. A.0. C.S. Reel 1073 4/1836 11. S.G. 4 August 1825 12. S.G. 5 January 1825 13. H.R.A. 14. S.G. 1 March 1826 15. S.G. 8 July 1826 16. S.G. 8 March 1826 17. S.G. 9 August 1826 18. S.G. 8 November 1826 19. S.G. 7 March 1826 20. A.O. 1828 Census 21. L.T.O. YEN BK K/272 22. A.O. C.S. IN Reel 2194 4/2167 23. IBID 24. B.D.M. 25. NSW Calendar & P.O. Directory 1832 26. S.G. 10 June 1850 27. S.M.H. 17 March 1853 .