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Islands of the Lower Hunter River, New South Wales

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Bedford, Cheetham, Chesterfield, Croese and 16 others
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Profiles

This project is to group together profiles of those people associated with the Islands of the Lower Hunter River in New South Wales, Australia. At the time of the first European survey, in 1801, up to 20 separate islands were identified in the Hunter River Estuary. For the purposes of this project as it relates to population, the area is defined as:

* Ash Island * Dempsey Island * Goat Island * Hexham Island * Kooragang Island * Moscheto or Mosquito Island * Sandy Island * Smith's Island * Spectacle Island * Spit Island * Walsh Island

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Kooragang Island

Kooragang Island was created from 7 islands (some of them, themselves, incorporating smaller mudflats and islands of the initial survey of 1801). The initial grant of Ash Island was to Alexander Walker Scott in 1827, which was sold and subdivided after 1866. Several land releases by the Crown came in the 1840's and '50's (see Land Titles section of this project). The islands themselves have been known by various names as they were amalgamated by fill, so names such as Ash, Mosquito and Moscheto are often interchangeable. More than 50 families lived and farmed Ash island until the major floods of 1955 when the island was resumed by the State for industrial land. After years of degradation by neglect, vandalism and pollution, the area is being rehabilitated and now forms part of the Hunter Wetlands National Park. "The Kooragang Wetlands Rehabilitation Project began in 1993, when the then Hunter Catchment Management Trust (now the Hunter-Central Rivers CMA) initiated a plan of management in partnership with Newcastle and Port Stephens Councils to rehabilitate 1590 hectares of the Hunter River estuary, (including sites on Ash Island, Tomago, and Stockton Sand Spit) to recover productive habitat and breeding ground for fish, shorebirds and other native wildlife. Kooragang Wetlands is a biodiversity hot spot with 27 threatened species and one threatened community, over 200 species of birds including 34 migratory species, 42 species of fish and crustaceans, 15 species of frog, 10 species of bat and over 300 species of indigenous plants."

Reported Developments

1854 - April 29 -

an article in the "Empire" describes Ash Island:-

  • Island just below Hexham is 6 miles long x 1.5 - 2 miles wide, the river being almost equal on either side.
  • 7 years before hardly a sign of habitation, and infested with snakes which are now almost all exterminated.
  • Now 13 Families settled on Ash Island and less than half of island is under cultivation, including maize crops.
  • Natural flora not cleared includes 40-feet high cabbage trees.
  • No fresh water on the island, the residents replenishing stores from springs at Tomago by way of sledges and boats.
  • They are a good neighbourly community, with fortnightly visits from Rev W Chaucer.

Churches and Ministers

1854 The Reverend W Chaucer is visiting to preach fortnightly according to article of 29 April 1854 in the "Empire".

1932, 20 January: 3 men row over to Moscheto Island in the night and demolish the Anglican Church, burning "every stick of timber" inside the building, in order to melt down some stolen brass. The fire was first seen after 10:30pm that night, and the police captured the men.

To be added

School

1867 5 March 1867: "PUBLIC SCHOOLS. (From the Gazette, March 1 )...Appointed to form the local school boards in connection with the public schools established at the places specified, viz.;— ... Mosquito Island.—Messrs. D. Jordan, G. Foster, G. Tongue."

1872 Robert W. Phillips is listed in Greville's Post Office Directory as Teacher, Mosquito Island and Samuel Gordon is Teacher, Dempsey Island..

1877 24 November: "Henry Hardyman and John Gordon have been appointed members of the Public School Board at Mosquito Island."

Land Titles

The following is a list of land titles for the area, with reference to the owners, where known.

FIRST SCHEDULE

From the attached Moscheto Island Agreement Ratification Act No.29 of 1930, a list of Original Crown Grants:

  • 1844, December 21 - Henry Weston Tomkins is granted Portions 22 (12 acres) and 138 (12 acres 2 roods).
  • 1845, February 8 - George Felton is granted Portion 24 (13 acres).
  • 1845, February 8 - Robert Alfred Evenden is granted Portion 12A (10 acres).
  • 1845, February 8 - Samuel Walters is granted Portion 14A (11 acres).
  • 1845, February 8 - Mary King is granted Portion 15A (14 acres 1 rood).
  • 1845, February 8 - William Taylor George is granted Portion 16A (12 acres).
  • 1845, February 8 - William Ledgerwood is granted Portion 17A (15 acres).
  • 1845, February 8 - James Macartney Reid is granted Portion 18A (12 acres).
  • 1845, February 8 - George Tully is granted Portion 19A (14 acres 1 rood).
  • 1845, February 8 - William Mosely is granted Portions 9A (12 acres) also 21 (12 acres) and 27 (17 acres 1 rood).
  • 1845, February 8 - Elizabeth Norton is granted Portion 28 (15 acres 3 roods).
  • 1845, February 8 - The Rev. Charles Pleydell Neale Wilton is granted Portion 26 (14 acres).
  • 1845, February 28 - Thomas Buxton is granted Portions 29 (17 acres 2 roods) and 31 (18 acres).
  • 1845, February 28 - Henry Rouse is granted Portion 30 (18 acres 3 roods).
  • 1845, February 28 - Gother Kerr Mann is granted Portion 25 (14 acres 3 roods).
  • 1845, February 28 - William Read is granted Portion 13A (11 acres 2 roods).
  • 1845, June 30 - Thomas Buxton and William Mosely are granted Portion 46 (30 acres).
  • 1845, July 19 - Mary King is granted Portion 32 (20 acres).
  • 1845, July 19 - William Kellett Baker is granted Portion 34 (20 acres).
  • 1845, December 27 - Thomas Buxton and William Mosely are granted Portion 44 (50 acres).
  • 1845, December 27 - David Charles Frederick Scott is granted Portion 45 (25 acres).
  • 1845, December 27 - Alfred Reynolds Huntley is granted Portion 42 (50 acres).
  • 1846, April 30 - David Charles Frederick Scott is granted Portion 38 (23 acres 2 roods).
  • 1848, May 30 - George Toung is granted Portion 40 (24 acres).
  • 1851, August 5 - Edward Bedford is granted Portion 39 (24 acres 3 roods).
  • 1853, September 8 - William Barton is granted Portion 75 (50 acres).
  • 1854, July 21 - Robert Archibald Alison Morehead and Matthew Young are granted Portions 77 (9 acres) and 78 (15 acres 2 roods).
  • 1854, September 4 - Francis Wilkins Lodge is granted Portions 20A (21 acres) and 21A (22 acres 2 roods).
  • 1854, September 4 - Dennis Jordan is granted Portion 41 (22 acres 2 roods).
  • 1854, September 16 - Thomas Hyde is granted Portion 76 (50 acres).
  • 1867, August 12 - William Farigood (Vol 50, Fol 80) is granted Portion 2A (40 acres).
  • 1868, November 11 - Charles Croese (Vol 76, Fol 166) is granted Portion 36 (54 acres 2 roods).
  • 1875, June 8 - James Price (Vol 232, Fol 8) is granted Portion 58 (50 acres).
  • 1877, May 10 - Henry Robert Gordon (Vol 329, Fol 220) is granted Portion 59 (50 acres).
  • 1885, December 29 - Henry Parkinson (Vol 777, Fol 35) is granted Portion 37 (40 acres).
  • 1899, April 20 - Scottish Australian Mining Co Ltd (Vol 1281 Fol 103) is granted the closed road between part of Portion 77 and part of Portion 88 (1 acre 1 rood and 20 perches).
SECOND SCHEDULE

From the attached Moscheto Island Agreement Ratification Act No.29 of 1930, a list of Notifications of Resumption and Appropriation. In each case, the "Land Affected" is described as "Certain land situated in parish of Newcastle, County of Northumberland":

  • Notified: 1914, March 10 Gazetted: March 18 Purpose: Wharfage improvements at Newcastle.
  • Notified: 1916, May 8 Gazetted: May 17 Purpose: Harbour improvements at Moscheto Island.
  • Notified: 1925, January 27 Gazetted: February 6 Purpose: Newcastle Harbour improvements.
THIRD SCHEDULE

From the attached Moscheto Island Agreement Ratification Act No.29 of 1930, a list of

1st Part: Lands acquired by His Majesty by purchase:

  • Portion 2A (40 acres) Certificate of Title regd Vol 92 Fol 116.
  • Portion 36 (54 acres 2 roods) Crown Grant Vol 76 Fol 166.
  • Portoin 59 (50 acres) Certificate of Title, Vol 3817 Fol 24.
  • Portions 75 & 76 (100 acres) Surrender No 467 Book 1409.

2nd Part: Crown Lands within the meaning of the Crown Lands Consolidation Act 1913:

  • Portion 273 (106 acres ex.roads)
  • Portion 275A (30 acres)
  • Portion 272 (397 acres ex.road and reserve). Various boundary roads and reserved roads and a reserve 150 links wide on the frontage of portion 272 above high-water mark of the North channel of Hunter River.

3rd Part: Land vested in His Majesty for the purpose of the Public Instruction Act of 1880:

  • 2 acres - Part of Portion 21 - Surrender No. 701 Book 1144.
FOURTH SCHEDULE

From the attached Moscheto Island Agreement Ratification Act No.29 of 1930. Tenancies in Force:

  • Memo of Lease (under R P Act) B958335 dated 10 March 1930 - tenancy granted to Lester Garnham of about 82 acres 3 roods also Deed of Lease for about 285 acres for a term of 7 years from 25 February 1930 at a rent of £225 per annum for both areas.
  • Memo of Lease ... No. B.179845 dated 23 December 1924 - tenancy granted to Charles Croese of 54 1/2 acres for a term of 10 years fro 24 January 1925 at £20 per annum.
  • Agreement dated 25 July 1924 - tenancy granted to William Edward George Harrison - weekly tenancy at 2s. 6d. per week.
  • Agreement dated August 1916 - Joseph Jones - weekly tenancy - 3s. per week.
  • Agreement dated 15 August 1919 - Frederick Tongue and Clarence Tongue - 14 acres 0 roods and 31 perches - Weekly Tenancy - 5s. per week.
  • Agreement dated 15 August 1919 - Charles Croese - 150 acres - weekly tenancy - £25 per annum, also a Swamp area at rent of £5.
  • Agreement dated 15 August 1919 - William Ross - 38 acres - weekly tenancy - £30 per annum.
  • Agreement dated 15 August 1919 - D. Robertson - 1 rood - weekly tenancy - 1s. per week.
  • Agreement dated 19 November 1928 - John Ross - monthly tenancy - 10s. per week.
FOURTH SCHEDULE continued.

From the attached Moscheto Island Agreement Ratification Act No.29 of 1930. The following Oyster Culture Leases that or parts thereof may be included in the survey of the Island:

  • No. 11513 - Gazetted 31 March 1922 - tenancy granted to John Canning and Walter Barclay - 15 years from 14 March 1922 - £5 per annum.
  • No. 10414 - Gazetted 13 May 1921 - tenancy granted to John Canning and Walter Barclay - 15 years from 15 March 1920 - £2 per annum.
  • No. 11570 - Gazetted 13 April 1922 - tenancy granted to John Canning and Walter Barclay - 15 years from 30 March 1922 - £2 8s. per annum.
  • No. 10640 - Gazetted 21 January 1921 - tenancy granted to John Canning and Walter Barclay of about 1 acre 9 roods 13 perches - 5 years from 18 January 1926 - £2 3s. per annum.
  • No. 10980 - Gazetted 13 May 1921 - tenancy granted to Daniel W. Newsham - 15 years from 26 April 1921 - 12s. per annum.
  • No. 14357 - Gazetted 29 July 1927 - tenancy granted to Donald Robertson - 15 years from 11 July 1927 - 18s. per annum.

The Common Seal of Imperial Chemical Industries of Australian and New Zealand Limited was hereunto affixed by authority of the Directors and in the presence of Malcolm M Brodie; W F Cumming - Directors (LS). P J Leigh, Acting Secretary. Witness: G B Cooke. Signed Sealed and Delivered by the Honorable Ernest Albert Buttenshaw the Minister for Public Works of the State of NSW in the presence of - R A Johnson.

Crown Land Auctions

13 November 1844

Suburban Lots - Upset price £1 per acre. 9. Northumberland, nine acres, parish unnamed, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, allotment No. 1. 10. Fifteeen acres and two roods, parish unnamed, Moscheto island, near Newcastle, allotment No. 2. 11. Ten acres, parish. unnamed, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, allotment No. 3. 12. Eleven acres and two roods, parish unnamed, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, allotment No. 4. 13. Fourteen acres and one rood, parish unnamed, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, allotment No. 5. 14. Eleven acres, parish unnamed, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, allotment No. 6. 15. Twelve acres, parish unnamed, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, allotment No. 7. 16. Fifteen acres, parish unnamed, Moscheto Island, Near Newcastle, allotment No. 8. 17. Fourteen acres and one rood, parish unnamed, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, allotment No. 9. 18. Twelve acres, parish unnamed, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, allotment No. 10. 19. Twelve acres, parish unnamed, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, allotment No. 11. 20. Twelve acres and two roods, parish unnamed, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, allotment No. 12. 21. Twelve acres, parish unnamed, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, allotment No. 13. 22. Twelve acres, parish unnamed, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, allotment No. 14. 23. Thirteen acres, parish unnamed, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, allotment No. 15. 24. Fourteen acres and three roods, parish unnamed, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, allotment No. 16. 25. Seventeen acres and one rood, parish unnamed, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, allotment No. 17. 26. Fourteen acres, parish unnamed, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, allotment No. 18. 27. Fifteen acres and three roods, parish unnamed, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, allotment No. 19. 28. Seventeen acres and two roods, parish unnamed, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, allotment No. 20. 29. Eighteen acres and three roods, parish unnamed, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, allotment No. 21. 30. Eighteen acres, parish unnamed, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, allotment No. 22. 31. Twenty-seven acres, parish unnamed, No. 1. of the Dempsey Island allotments. 32. Twenty-two acres, parish unnamed, No. 2. of the Dempsey Island allotments. 33. Eighteen acres, parish unnamed, No. 3 of the Dempsey Island allotments. 34. Sixteen acres and two roods, parish unnamed, No. 4. of the Dempsey Island allotments. 35. Twenty acres, parish unnamed, No. 5. of the Dempsey Island allotments. 36. Twenty acres, parish unnamed, No. 6. of the Dempsey Island allotments. 37. Twenty-five acres and two roods, parish unnamed, No. 17. of the Dempsey Island allotments. 38. Twenty acres, parish unnamed, No. 18, of the Dempsey Island allotments. 39. Twenty-four acres and three roods, parish unnamed, No. 19. of the Dempsey Island allotments. 40. Twenty-one acres and a half, parish unnamed, No. 20. of the Dempsey Island allotments. 41. Twenty acres, parish unnamed, No. 21. of the Dempsey Island allotments. 42. Sixteen acres and two roods, parish unnamed, No. 22. of the Dempsey allotments.

Thursday 15 May 1845

(as published in "The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser, 12 April 1845) GOVERNMENT GAZETTE. Friday, April 4, 1845. Town Allotments. At eleven o'clock on Thursday, the 15th day of May next, the following town allotments of land will be offered for sale by public auction, at the Colonial Treasury, in Sydney, at the upset price affixed to each lot respectively. 18. Newcastle. Forty-six perches, allotment No. 224. 19. Thirty-six perches, allotment No. 225. 20. Thirty-six perches, allotment No. 226. 21. Thirty-six perches, allotment No. 227. Upset price £50 per acre.

52. Raymond Terrace. Two roods, allotment No. 1 of section 16. 23. Two roods, allotment No. 2 of section 16. 24. Two roods, allotment No. 3 of section 16. 25. Two roods, allotment No. 4 of section 16. 26. Two roods, allotment No. 5 of section 16. 27. Two roods, allotment No. 6 of section 16. Upset price £8 per acre.

At eleven o'clock of Wednesday, the 14th of May next, the following portions of crown lands will be offered for sale by public auction, at the Colonial Treasury, in Sydney, at the upset price affixed to each lot respectively.

Suburban Lots. 1. Northumberland. Twenty-one acres two roods and thirty-two perches, parish unnamed, Dempsey's Island, near Newcastle, suburban allotment No. 14. 2. Sixteen acres and two roods, parish unnamed, Dempsey's Island, near Newcastle, suburban allotment No. 23. 3. Twenty acres, parish unnamed, Dempsey's Island, near Newcastle, suburban allotment No. 24. 4. Twenty-two acres, parish unnamed, Dempsey's Island, near Newcastle, suburban allotment No. 25. 5. Twenty acres, parish un- named, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, suburban allotment No. 23. 6. Nineteen acres and two roods, parish unnamed, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, suburban allotment No. 24. 7. Twenty acres, parish unnamed, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, suburban allotment No. 25. 8. Twenty acres, parish unnamed, Moscheto Island, near Newcastle, suburban allotment No. 26. Upset price £1 per acre.

Country Lots 17. Gloucester. Fifty acres, parish of Tomaree, at Port Stephens, 18. Thirty acres, parish of Tomaree, at Salamander Bay, Port Stephens. Upset price £1 per acre.

Occupation Licenses. At eleven o'clock of Thursday, the 22nd day of May next, the Colonial Treasurer will put up to auction, at the Colonial Treasury, in Sydney, the licenses to occupy, under the regulations of 21st August, 1841, the following portions of land, for one year from the 1st June, 1845.

The upset price of each lot is £5 per section of 640 acres.

8. Hunter, Seven hundred acres, parish un- named, near the Mellong Swamp. 9. Northumberland. Six hundred and fifty acres, parish unnamed, at Newport, Lake Macquarie. 12. Durham. One thousand two hundred acres, parish unnamed, near the head of Dry Creek. 13. Six hundred and forty acres, parish unnamed, 1 mile north of the confluence of Coorangoola Creek with Dry Creek.

Printed and published by the proprietors, Thomas William Tucker and Richard Jones, at the Maitland Mercury Office, High-street, West Maitland, county of Northumberland, New South Wales.

Families & Individuals from Islands of the Lower Hunter River, NSW

... are listed in the index below, by surname. By clicking on the name of any individual in blue text, you can view the profile of that person for additional information and family members.

A

  • ANDERSON, H. made applications for Oyster leases in 1885 - at Smith's Island, area 1200 yards. Spit Island, area, 1340 yards. Spectacle Island, area, 1060 yards. Spit Island, area, 300 yards.
  • ANDRAULAKIS, S. made applications for Oyster leases 1885 - Mosquito Channel, area, 300 yards. Mosquito Channel, area, 600 yards. Mosquito Channel, area, 300 yards. Mosquito Channel, 300 yards. Mosquito Island, area, 400 yards. Possibly Efstathios Androulakis from Melbourne, who married Athina in 1880 in Melbourne, later moving to Newcastle NSW. (Ref: p158 Culture & Memory. Special Issue of Modern Greek Studies (Australia and New Zealand 2006 by Leonard Janiszewski and Effy Alexakis of Macquarie University).

B

  • BAKER, William Kellett - 19 July 1845 - original grantee of Portion 34 (20 acres).
  • BARRALLIER, French Ensign Francis Louis, (1773-1853) - surveyed Hunter River Estuary, 1801
  • BARRY, Thomas. Listed in Greville's Post Office Directory 1872 - Farmer, Spit Island.
  • BARTON, William - 8 September 1853 - original grantee Portion 75 (50 acres).
  • BEDFORD, Mr, present at Public Meeting held 6 October 1860 regarding repair of Market Wharf Basin.
  • BEDFORD, Edward 66 yo and a colonist 42 years, died at his residence, Mosquito Island, 25 October 1865. 5 August 1851, Edward Bedford is granted Portion 39 (24 acres 3 roods).
  • BEDFORD, Joseph Listed in Greville's Post Office Directory 1872 - Farmer, Mosquito Island. Husband of Jane Bedford nee Waters, father of Sarah Watters nee Bedord; James Bedford; Edward Bedford; Joseph Bedford; Ellen Bedford; Matthew Bedford; Mary Morris nee Bedford and William Bedford.
  • BELL, Mr, of Dempsey Island, made presentations at Public Meeting held 6 October 1860 regarding repair of Market Wharf Basin.
  • BIRMINGHAM, William of Moscheto Island, seconded a resolution at Public Meeting held 6 October 1860 regarding repair of Market Wharf Basin.
  • BURNETT, Ronald Alfred - tiny boy nearly drowned in the Hunter River 5 July 1927.
  • BUXTON, Thomas - 28 February 1845 - original grantee of Portions 29 (17 acres 2 roods) and 31 (18 acres). Also, with William Mosely as partner, is granted Portion 46 (30 acres) on 30 June 1845 and then on 27 December 1845, Portion 44 (50 acres).

C

D

E

  • EGGLESTON, Thomas - Listed in Greville's Post Office Directory 1872 - Farmer, Dempsey Island.
  • EVENDEN, Robert Alfred - original grantee in 1845 of Portion 12A (10 acres) at Mosquito Island.

F

  • FELTON, George - original grantee in 1845, of Portion 24 (13 acres) at Mosquito Island.
  • FORDE, Edward - (1829-1866) Irish-born watercolourist married Helena Forde nee Scott, (1832-1910) - daughter of Alexander Walker Scott - naturalist and illustrator
  • FOSTER, Benjamin (d 1858) Probate published 15 July 1858 describes him "formerly of Moscheto Island" and his descendants continued to live there.
  • FOSTER, Ernest (d1933) 3rd son of George and Susan Foster of Mosquito Island, husband of Rebecca Foster nee Ruse (1862 - 1949), parents of Ettie Foster; Ernest Foster; Ella Foster; Florence Blair; Eileen Foster; Fred Foster; Arthur Foster; Archie Foster and Howard Foster.
  • FOSTER, Frederick - of Mosquito Island, listed by the Australian Museum as donating two lizards (Omolepida casuarinae) to them in July 1863.
  • FOSTER, George Jr. Husband of Betsey Foster nee Morris, father of William and Arthur Foster, Lavina Sansom and Minnie Doohan. Listed in Greville's Post Office Directory 1872 - Farmer, Mosquito Island.
  • FOSTER, George Snr. Husband of Susan Foster nee Gordon, father of Harriett Burns; George Foster; Isaac Foster; Alfred Foster; Charles Foster; Alexander Foster and William Foster. "of Moscheto Island", reported at Public Meeting held 6 October 1860 regarding repair of Market Wharf Basin and published as appointed to the Board of the Mosquito Island School in March 1867.

G

  • GEORGE, William Taylor - 8 February 1845 - is original grantee of Portion 16A (12 acres).
  • GIBBINS, F.J. made applications for Oyster leases 1885 - Sandy Island, area, 800 yards. Spit Island, area, 2000 yards. Spectacle Island, area 500 yards. Mosquito Channel, area, 700 yards. Mosquito Channel, area, 400 yards. Mosquito Channel, area, 500 yards. Goat Island, area, 800 yards.
  • GORDON, Albert (1884-1939) wrote a letter at 11yo published 25 April 1896 describing living on Mosquito Island and going to school at Tomago by boat.
  • GORDON, Henry. Listed in Greville's Post Office Directory 1872 - Farmer, Mosquito Island.
  • GORDON, John - - appointed member of the Public School Board at Mosquito Island circa 24 Nov 1877.
  • GORDON, Margaret killed by lightning strike on Ash Island 17 Dec 1855. Sister of Robert Gordon- drowned in Hunter River at Ash Island 25 Dec 1855 along with Mr Wakeman, their adopted brother.
  • GORDON, Samuel. Listed in Greville's Post Office Directory 1872 - Teacher, Dempsey Island.
  • GORDON, Sarah Ann d.1861 at the residence of he brother-in-law, George Foster, Mosquito Island. The eldest daughter of Mr. James Gordon, Manning River, and niece to Henry Gordon, Esq., J.P., Illawarra. She was sister to Susan Foster nee Gordon of Moscheto Island.
  • GOULD, Elizabeth (1804-1841) - scientist and collector who visited Ash Island when owned by the Scott family, described in 1839 "Found the tent pitched in a cleard (sic) spot in the midst of the bush where nature appeared in her wild luxuriance. The Immense parasites twining round the trees taking root some of them at the tops of the trees and hanging down to the ground, others surrounding the trees like a crown - heard the bell bird with his incessant ting ting, the coachwhip bird &c – a heavy shower of rain accompanied by lightening – soon cleared up – every green thing looked more beautiful for its sprinkling. (in Albrecht and Albrecht 1992 and Hindwood 1938b 135-6)"
  • GOULD, John (1804-1881) - scientist and collector who visited Ash Island when owned by the Scott family
  • GRANT, Lieutenant James - surveyed Hunter River Estuary, 1801

H

  • HARRISON, W. made applications for Oyster leases 1885 - Spectacle Island, area, 600 yards. Smith's Island, area, 750 yards.
  • HANNELL, James (1813-1876) - First Mayor of Newcastle. His obituary in the SMH of 3 Jan 1877 describes him as of the "citizens who purchased, at the Government auction sale, land at Mosquito Island."
  • HARDS, Richard. Listed in Greville's Post Office Directory 1872 - Fisherman, Mosquito Island.
  • HARDS, Thomas. Listed in Greville's Post Office Directory 1872 - Fisherman, Mosquito Island.
  • HARDYMAN, Henry - appointed member of the Public School Board at Mosquito Island, circa 24 Nov 1877.
  • HENDERSON, James - Architect of Newcastle. His 8 room residence on Mosquito Island, at the banks of the Hunter River, is destroyed by fire on Friday 21 December 1900 after being struck by lightning.
  • HUGHES, Francis. Listed in Greville's Post Office Directory 1872 - [no occupation listed], Dempsey Island. F. Hughes made applications for Oyster leases 1885 - Ash Island, area 250 yards.
  • HUNT, J. made applications for Oyster leases 1885 - Spit Island, area. 400 yards.
  • HUNTLEY, Alfred Reynolds. 27 December 1845 is original grantee of Portion 42 (50 acres).
  • HYDE, Thomas. Listed in Greville's Post Office Directory 1872 - Farmer, Mosquito Island.

J

K

  • KING, Mary Ann - daughter of Harriet Callcott and Ensign Edward King, stepdaughter of Alexander Walker Scott
  • KING, Mary (probably the same as above) 8 February 1845 - is original grantee of Portion 15A (14 acres 1 rood), also 19 July 1845 granted Portion 32 (20 acres).
  • KIRCHNER, Frances Murdoch nee Stirling, daughter of Harriet Callcott Lt Robert Stirling and stepdaughter of A W Scott. Also an artist / draughtswoman, she married the Consul for Hamburg, Prussia and Austria.

L

  • LEDGERWOOD, William - 8 February 1845 - is original grantee of Portion 17A (15 acres).
  • LEICHHARDT, Ludwig (1813-1848) - explorer, stated in 1842: ‘... is a remarkably fine place, not only to enjoy the beauty of nature, a broad shining river, a luxuriant vegetation, a tasteful comfortable cottage with a plantation of orange trees but to collect a great number of plants which I had never seen before … It’s a romantic place, which I like well enough to think that – perhaps – I’d be content to live and die there ...’. Poor man died in a much harsher place...
  • LODGE, Francis Wilkins (c.1812 to c.9 April 1895) - original grantee at Mosquito Island in 1854 - Portions 20A (21 acres) and 21A (22 acres 2 roods). Sea Captain, Commander of the barque Juliana 1838 to NSW. Papers 1867-1876 (MN 1676 - Lodge family papers ACC5120A) photocopies held at Battye Library (Libraries Australia ID 21661849).

M

N

  • NORTON, Elizabeth - 8 February 1845 - original grantee of Portion 28 (15 acres 3 roods).

P

  • PATERSON, Lieutenant-Governor William (1755-1810) - surveyed Hunter River Estuary, 1801
  • PHILLIPS, Robert W. Listed in Greville's Post Office Directory 1872 - Teacher, Mosquito Island.
  • PILLEY, Thomas (d.1891) - old man found wandering in the bush of Mosquito Island brought up for Protection order at Maitland Court, discharged so police may release him to friends. Listed in Greville's Post Office Directory 1872 - Farmer, Mosquito Island.
  • POMMEL, Jacob. Listed in Greville's Post Office Directory 1872 - Farmer, Ash Island.

R

  • READ, William - 28 February 1845 - original grantee of Portion 13A (11 acres 2 roods).
  • REID, James Macartney - 8 February 1845 - original grantee of Portion 18A (12 acres).
  • REYNOLDS, John - husband of Sarah Reynolds, residents of Ash Island Dec 1855 at death of Margaret Gordon by lightning strike and the main witnesses at her inquest.
  • RICHARDS, Joseph. Listed in Greville's Post Office Directory 1872 - Farmer, Dempsey Island.
  • ROCK, Mr - of Ash Island, built boat in which Robert Gordon and Mr Wakeman drowned 25 Dec 1855.
  • ROUSE, Henry - 28 February 1845, February 28 - original grantee of Portion 30 (18 acres 3 roods).

S

  • SCOTT, Alexander Walker (1800-1883) - 1827, Member for the Hunter. Ash island granted 1927. 2560 acres of land granted 1929. 1831, settled with his mother and sister. In 1847 he was offering for sale from Ash Island 100 tons of prime Lucerne hay (hydraulic pressed and bound with iron or lashing), as well as 8000 large well flavoured oranges and 10 tons of pumpkins. In 1848 he advertised 'Deega Estate' and his Pacific Street, Newcastle property for sale. Deega estate was 2560 acres within two miles of Lake Macquarie and adjoined Captain Ranclaud's estate. Abundantly watered with several flats of rich land suitable for agricultural purposes with an unlimited back run; The city property consisted of almost a quarter of an acre with a five roomed cottage. 1849 won gold medal from Australasian Botanic and Horticultural Society for specimen of Phormium tenax (New Zealand flax) grown at Ash Island. 1866 sold Ash Island property as a bankrupt. Husband of Harriet Scott nee Callcott (1904 - 20 January 1866) mother of Frances Stirling and Mary Ann King in addition to Alexander Scott's daughters Harriet and Helena. Alexander's brother, David Charles Frederick Scott, also received two of the original grants on the island.
  • SHELLEY, Arthur - born 13 November 1868 and Hector Shelly - born 1 February 1870, both sons of Julius Shelley and Emily Shelley nee Betts, granddaughter of the Rev Samuel Marsden, were born at Ash Island.
  • SWITZER, David - "Old Dave" (2 August 1840 - 13 July 1945) - an orphan who never married, "Old Dave" operated manual vehicular ferries on the Lower Hunter and died at 104 years of age.

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  • WALTERS, Samuel - is original grantee 8 February 1845 of Portion 14A (11 acres).
  • WAKEMAN, Mr - drowned 25 Dec 1855 in Hunter at Ash Island with his brother, Robert Gordon.
  • WILSON, John. Listed in Greville's Post Office Directory 1872 - Farmer, Mosquito Island.
  • WILTON, The Rev. Charles Pleydell Neale - one of the original grantees of 1845, receiving Portion 26 (14 acres). Ran a farm and orchard on Moscheto Island and personally supervised his assigned convict servants. One of the four senior Hunter River clergymen who helped Bishop William Tyrrell in planning a diocesan synod and in drafting a petition to the Queen for an inquiry into the constitution of the Church of England in Australia

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  • "ZOUCH, Henry, Lieutenant" 1834 - from Newcastle township was required to visit the area to quell natives who had gathered after one of their tribe had been shot by a constable.

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