Joseph Knight, Free Settler “Neptune” 1844

From Alan Brawn

Extract from Book - Hewitson Story 1844-1944

We have a letter written by Joseph to Elizabeth to confirm their engagement, unfortunately he did not date the letter, but it was written from Stoney Creek. Our research shows that Stoney Creek was a property near where Albion Park is now. It was managed by a younger member of the Russell Family who had large holdings in the area. These properties were like little towns. Each tradesman had his own shop and staff. Some properties had as many as 36 people on the staff. The blacksmith, the saddler and the carpenter each had their own little shop. There were also a number of small cottages clustered around the big house for the staff.

Visitors to Coolangatta Motel near Kiama can see the remains of Berrys establishment and get some idea what it would have been like in its hey day.

From Stoney Creek Joseph went to work for Henry Osborne, Jnr at Avondale. He was a dairyman. Perhaps he was learning to be a dairy farmer preparing to take up his own farmland.

Joseph took up land on a plateau on the Saddle Back mountain, immediately above the Foxground near Kiama. We do not know what arrangements he secured the land under but we think he may have selected land or bought it from Henry Osborne. In any case, he willed it to his wife and family, which suggests he owned it.

Aunty Bel and Grandma spoke of a large stone wall near the house. All trace of the house is now gone but the stone wall still stands. Grandma often spoke of the view from the plateau: down into the Foxground with all the farms spread out like a map, then away to the ocean. Seven Mile Beach can clarely be seen.

Behind the house were the Barren Grounds Mountains, the Arthur cousins, big boys looking for adventure, used to search through the bush for ferns and birds' eggs. It was a favourite past time with girls of that generation to collect ferns, press them and place them in an album. The boys collected birds eggs which they blew and kept in boxes. Some had as many as 40 eggs. The Arthur cousins sometimes brought in baby koalas for their little cousins. Grandma said she had native bears, as she called koalas, as pets much in the same way a present day child would have a puppy or kitten.

There is a track at the back of the property that goes down to Aunt Margaret Alcorns farm. It is very steep in places. They often went backwards and forwards to visit. Aunt Margaret was called upon to help in time of emergency and there would have been plenty with the little family up on the plateau.

Non so terrible as the day Joseph was sawing a log in a pitsaw to make slabs for additions to his home to provide for his growing family. A log rolled into a pit and crushed him. His back was broken and he died seven weeks later. His will was dated two weeks before he died 27 April, 1862.

Our Grandma, although she would have been only 3 years old, remembered and used to speak of standing and watching the long line of neighbours carring his body over to Jamberoo to bury it in the Methodist Church cemetery.

Joseph was 35 years old when he died. His youngest child Joseph Jnr was born 5 months later.

Elizabeth married her cousin Robert Young Arthur on 22 Jan 1867.

Grandma said that under the terms Joseph had acquired his land certain improvements had to be done each three year period. Elizabeth could not manage alone. Her second family were born on the plateau, Aunt Margaret assisting until she moved to Bowral. There is also stories of the Jarman family, near neighbours helping out in times of need.

Elizabeth spent all her life in pioneering conditions. First with her parents at Shellharbour, then on the Saddleback with Joseph Knight, and later with her second husband Robert Arthur.

Then in 1881 she began all over again at Dunoon. The menfolk of the Dorrough and Arthur families together with Joseph Knight began clearing the Big Scrub burning off and turning the newly won ground into garden and farm lands.

During the last 14 years she spent on the Saddle Back, Elizabeth's second family were born. There was one daughter, Margaret who married Samuel Alcorn Knight, the younger son of George Knight (jnr) and six sons.

A letter from 1881 survives.

17 Jan 1882

Lismore Richmond River

To Matilda Knight

My Dear Daughter,

I now write to let you know we arrived on Friday at 4 o'clock. We had a head wind and a very rough passage and we were very sick. The Steamer was thronged to excess, we had not room to put a foot to walk around. I hope it will be different when you all come along. Indeed it was dreadful trying in the cabins, there were 13 individuals, children and ladies.

I fear the voyage but it was worse than I could think. The food was of the best kind, everything was right, only the crowd. Dada had to stop on deck.

When we came into smooth water, then the mosquitoes commenced. They are a great plague. I have got curtaining (mosquito net) up now, so we can sleep. It is warm enough for everyone, they tell me the winter is beautiful.

The boys went to school yesterday, they like their master well. They are quieter than you would expect, everything being so strange. Dada has gone out to the farm, he is not back yet, Joseph is here iwth me, I believe they have been working well, had a fire and somethings growing. He looks well and happy.

Matthew is as fat as a publican, the others are well, I have not seen them yet. I cant say much about the place yet, I have not been out to chapel.

Martha and Henry seem very anxious to come, I believe they will come. She has a very nice sewing machine, the best I ever saw. I believe you and her would do well here together. I cant say much more only I wish to hear from you soon. Give my love to father and all the best to the friends and yoru own dear self.

Your loving mother

Elizabeth Arthur

We learn the first party of Dorroughts and Arthurs went north in 1881, Uncle Joseph Knight went along with them and helped with the initial clearning, that Elizabeth and the younger children remained in Lismore until accommodation could be built for them at Dorroughby.

Elizabeth lived the remainder of her life at Dorroughby and when she died 25 May 1902 in her 69th year she was buried in the Methodist portion of the Dunoon cemetery.