Benjamin Singleton, Free Settler "Pitt" 1792

An early explorer of the Hunter River Valley. The town of Singleton is named after him.

Benjamin Singleton

1788 - 1853

Birth

Aug 7 1788

St Giles, Cripplegate, London, England

Emigration

1792

Ship - 'Pitt'

Death

May 2 1853

Singleton, NSW, Aust

In October 1817 Benjamin accompanied William Parr on part of his exploration of the present Bulga Road. Benjamin withdrew from this expedition and led his own private expedition in April 1818. Both of these expeditions, which were trying to find a trafficable route to the Hunter valley, were failures. Two years later, in March 1820, as part of the exploration party of John Howe (1774-1852), Benjamin finally reached Patrick's Plains. As a reward for his part in this successful expedition in 1821 Benjamin was given a 200 acre (81 ha) grant on the Patrick's Plains and became the first settler in the district. Cattle on agistment were soon grazing there. Banjamin later founded the present town of Singleton on part of this land.

In 1823 Benjamin, who had settled with his family on his grant at Patrick's Plains, was appointed District Constable on the recommendation of magistrate Edward Close (1790-1866) who thought Singleton 'a very trustworthy man'. Benjamin's duties included the enforcement of government regulations which included the attendance by convicts servants at Sunday musters making them unavailable for work during that time. This caused arguments between Benjamin and fellow settler James Mudie (1779-1852). Singleton appealed successfully to Edward Close, the nearest magistrate, to uphold his authority 'or else the District will be no better than bushrangers'.

Benjamin's grant on the Patrick's Plains included a natural ford on the Hunter River. On his grant at this natural ford Benjamin built a water-mill on the river, and an inn. In 1825 he applied for more land, an application that was supported by 4 major landholders in the district, all magistrates and JPs, William Cox (1764-1837), John Brabyn (c1759-1835), Archibald Bell (1773-1837), and Robert Scott (c1799-1844). Benjamin was granted this additional land in 1828. In 1831 with his younger brother Joseph he built another water-mill at Boatfalls, near Clarencetown. He next commissioned a horse-drawn boat to be used in the Parramatta trade. The service was not popular, and was also hard on the horses. In December 1832 he offered it for sale 'for want of funds to propel her by steam'. Lack of funds also forced during the 1830s the subdivision and sale, or mortgage, of much of his property. The sale of his subdivided land became the beginnings of the present town of Singleton at that natural ford on the Hunter River. Benjamin was also to built there a brewery and a Singleton Courthouse. In 1841 he donated the land where Burdekin Park now stands for use as a market square. He also donated land to the Anglican and Presbyterian churches. Caring for the education of the children of the town he even ploughed a furrow from Singleton to the schoolhouse at nearby Whittingham so that the children would not loose their way.

The depression of the 1840's caused Benjamin Singleton to become insolvent in 1842.

Benjamin died on 2 May 1853. He is buried in the Singleton Cemetary at Whittingham. Benjamin left behind the legacy of Singleton, a town that would continue to grow and prosper.

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Singleton-279

GEDCOM Note

<p>In 1817 son Benjamin went on the first of two expeditions trying to find another route </p><p>accross the Blue Mountains but to no avail. Then in 1820 he joined an expedition led by </p><p>explorerJohn Howe to find an inland route from the Hawkesbury River to the Hunter River </p><p>which was successfull. The present "Putty Road" broadly follows their route. They had </p><p>found the Hunter Valley which they reported as "the finest country imaginable".</p><p> </p><p>Benjamin was very impressed by the land in the Hunter Valley and applied for and was </p><p>initially granted 24 acres then another 400 and later another 200 acres. In 1824, a year </p><p>after Hannahs death, William and his sons Joseph and William joined Benjamin on his </p><p>Hunter River holding. James stayed inthe Windsor area on his land. They became involved </p><p>in Benjamins many ventures. In 1826 Benjamin opened the "Barley Mow" Inn which </p><p>became the "Plough" Inn in 1827 then the "Plough and Horses" Inn in 1829. A watermill </p><p>was also built at Boatfalls, near Clarencetown. </p>Their success lead to a town being founded in 1835 and named " Singleton".