Lionel Viney Hindmarsh Stephen

COALFIELDS PAGE

PASSING OF PIONEERS

LIONEL STEPHEN

(BY ARTHUR BIGGERS)

(From notes 'by Councillor J, R. Scott)

Lionel Viney Hindmarsh-Stephen, who died on Sunday, December 3, was the fifth son of George Milne Stephen, the well-known barrister, who practised extensively on the southern circuit, New South Wales. He was born In London in 1854 (Crimean War time), and the following year arrived in New South Wales. In Sydney his education was supervised by his kinsman. Professor Stephen.

Alter the completion of his college course, he, in conjunction with a brother, purchased the 'Ivanhoe' vine yard at Pokolbin. The property contains 41 acres, and was originally granted to James Rudd. The Stephen brothers set themselves the task of producing a rich fuII-bodied wine for the Sydney market. First prizes were awarded the 'Ivanhoe' wines in the State capitals, and at country shows in this State, and abroad at Paris, Bordeaux, and Amsterdam.

OVER 100 AWARDS

Upwards of one hundred awards, principally firsts, are recorded against the name of 'Ivanhoe in viticultural records. In course of time the vineyard changed hands, successive owners being Stewart Corner, and George Phillip, the present proprietor. The honour of being the actual pioneer of the viticultural industry within the volcanic belt belongs to Frederick Albert Wilkinson, who, early in 1866, planted the first grape cuttings, and later drove the first stakes of 'Oakdale' vineyard.

It is a handsome tribute to the productivity of the soil and to the longevity of our Australian hardwoods to say that some of those vines are still bearing, and that some of those stakes are still standing. Pioneer F. A. Wilkinson was the son of Lieutenant Alfred Wilkinson, an Indian Army veteran. !

The 'oath of allegiance' and the; judicial oath' were administered to the late, Lionel Stephen by his cousin, Judge Stephen, who was on circuit in Maitland shortly after the gazettal.

The Judge referred to was the second son of Sir Alfred Stephen, Chief Justice and Lieutenant-Governor of New South Wales, who died in 1894.

OLD SYSTEM

Lionel Stephen was a member of he Cessnock Public School Board, a relic of the old system, now more or less superseded by the Parents and Citizens' Association, and tho visitors' ook at the old Cessnock public school bears witness to the metricuous caro with which he performed his duties of his office.

The following are copies of inscriptions which — engraved in granito may be seen in tho Rothburv Antrlian cemetery. They conjure up in any memories; and to the historian aros reminiscent of the very earliest of the early days of colonisation.

The epitaphs (in brief; are those of: — Lieutenant Alfred Wilkinson, 33rd Regiment, Madras Infantry, who died at his residence. Cote D'or, Pokolbin,February 6, 1890, aged 86 years. Jane, his wife, who died Juno 21,1881, aged 69 years.Frederick Albert, son of Lieutenant Alfred Wilkinson, who died at 'Ivanhoe,' Pokolbin, October 1, 1883,' aged 41 years. ' Florenco JIary Hindmarsh Wilkinson (nee Stephen), who died at 'Oakdale,' Pokolbin, July 18, 1916, aged 70 years, only daughter of George Milne Stephen, barrister-at-law, and granddaughter of Rear -Admiral Sir John Hindmarsh, R.N., first Governor of South Australia (founded 1836).

source COALFIELDS PAGE PASSING OF PIONEERS LIONEL STEPHEN The Newcastle Sun (NSW : 1918 - 1954) Saturday 16 December 1922 p 8 Article