By the time John Platt's attempt at growing wheat on the banks of the Hunter River failed, his house on Iron Bark Hill had been destroyed by fire. Adding to his woes of the day, his eldest and youngest sons were burnt to death in a bush fire on the property near the original homestead.
Platt built a new homestead on the road to Maitland. The area is know as Sandgate today. With his wife ill, he continued to sell off "The Folly". By 1836 both John and his wife had died. Seven of his children were adopted by Mr E.C.Close a good friend of the Platts and they were taken to Morpeth to live. Only the eldest living son, Frederick W. Platt remained on the property until the land was sold to the Australian Agricultural Company in 1839. The area immediately around where the second homestead had been built was called Plattsburg in honour of Frederick Platt.
The next resident to arrive in the district was Peter Crebert. who was a Wine Dresser from Germany. Crebert arrived in Newcastle under contract to Dr James Mitchell of offer his services to the occupiers of the lands around the area, to teach them how to grow and cultivate grapes for making wine also to teach them the proper way of storing it. Crebert purchased 5 acreas of land on "The Folly" from Charles Bolton. Two years later he bought a further 5 acreas. Crebert set about planting both an orchard and a vineyard on his landand produced the very first wine in the Newcastle district. Crebert referred to his piece of land as "Crebert's Folly". Crebert opened up his property to the public every Sunday and people would come from all over the district, including Newcastle to walk through the orchard and vineyard and the well landscaped garden that he had single handedly laid out. While there they bought his fruit and wine. Later his landscaped gardens and lawns would be known as Crebert's flower Gardens. The site is below where Mayfield East School now sits.
Most of the land in this portion of "Folly" was used for orchards, vineyards and dairy farms.
Other occupiers in the area at the time were: Bull, Williams, Gray, Russell and Robertson. Three of these occupants of the "Folly" later lent their names to some of the streets around the Mayfield area. Initially it was Crebert, Bull and Williams then later Scholey and Tourle that lent their names to what are now recognised street names in the Mayfield area.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
THE FIRST RESIDENTS OF MAYFIELD WEST. Part 1.
John Laurio Platt first arrived in the colony of Kingstown (Newcastle) in 1801, at the request of Governor King to survey all possible areas that could be mined for coal. Platt at the time was experienced coal miner and also a naval Officer of the Royal Navy of England.
Later John Platt returned in 1822 with his wife and young family to become the first "Free Selector" (a term used by the then Government of the day for a person who chooses the land he wants(Crown land) and then squats on that land with the approval of the Government.)
John Platt was granted a 2000 arce parcel of land that was bounded by a small creek that ran behind what we know today as St Joseph's Home for the Aged Care at Sandgate, to Tighes Hill as we know it today, including all of Waratah as we know it and most of Wallsend. Platt regsisted his property in 1822 as 'Platt's Estate'.
Platt built his homestead on a hill (site of the former Murray Dwyer Orphanage) and called it' Iron Bark Hill'.
Platt's also built a Windmill on Spit Island and a Sawmill on his property. Platt's attempt at growing 40acres of wheat failed. Other old settlers referred to Platt's attempt as Platt's Folly. That is why all the land along the river bank from the 'Mill Paddock" (approx Tourle St) to Port Waratah was eventually called 'Folly'( Mayfield's first name) Due to a tragedy in the family, Platt was persuaded to sell off Platt's Folly.
A Mr Charles Simpson was the first to purchase land on 'The Folly' in 1848. He secured three allotments. On one of the 36 acres on the riverfront he erected a substantial homestead. This he named 'Waratah House', due to the Waratah flowers that were growing near the rear of his house.
Later a gentleman by the name of Mr Charles Bolton also purchased allotments on the 'Folly'. He named it 'Boltons Brush'. After sometime Mr Charles Simpson sold his portion of land to Mr Thomas Tourle. Mr Tourle was a wealthy squatter who had made his fortune on his station 'Bellata', in the New England area of New South Wales. Waratah House saw many changes over the years with add-ons to facilitate the distilling of wine from the vineyard that he planted. He landscaped the gardens himself and he planted an orchard. Thomas Tourle lived on the property until his death at the age of 93yrs.
Later John Platt returned in 1822 with his wife and young family to become the first "Free Selector" (a term used by the then Government of the day for a person who chooses the land he wants(Crown land) and then squats on that land with the approval of the Government.)
John Platt was granted a 2000 arce parcel of land that was bounded by a small creek that ran behind what we know today as St Joseph's Home for the Aged Care at Sandgate, to Tighes Hill as we know it today, including all of Waratah as we know it and most of Wallsend. Platt regsisted his property in 1822 as 'Platt's Estate'.
Platt built his homestead on a hill (site of the former Murray Dwyer Orphanage) and called it' Iron Bark Hill'.
Platt's also built a Windmill on Spit Island and a Sawmill on his property. Platt's attempt at growing 40acres of wheat failed. Other old settlers referred to Platt's attempt as Platt's Folly. That is why all the land along the river bank from the 'Mill Paddock" (approx Tourle St) to Port Waratah was eventually called 'Folly'( Mayfield's first name) Due to a tragedy in the family, Platt was persuaded to sell off Platt's Folly.
A Mr Charles Simpson was the first to purchase land on 'The Folly' in 1848. He secured three allotments. On one of the 36 acres on the riverfront he erected a substantial homestead. This he named 'Waratah House', due to the Waratah flowers that were growing near the rear of his house.
Later a gentleman by the name of Mr Charles Bolton also purchased allotments on the 'Folly'. He named it 'Boltons Brush'. After sometime Mr Charles Simpson sold his portion of land to Mr Thomas Tourle. Mr Tourle was a wealthy squatter who had made his fortune on his station 'Bellata', in the New England area of New South Wales. Waratah House saw many changes over the years with add-ons to facilitate the distilling of wine from the vineyard that he planted. He landscaped the gardens himself and he planted an orchard. Thomas Tourle lived on the property until his death at the age of 93yrs.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
OUR LITTLE CORNER OF THE WORLD
We owe a great deal to the following people: John Platt, Joseph and Peter Crebert, John Scholey, Charles Upfold, Thomas Tourle and William Arnott. If it had not been for these men, Mayfield and the surrounding areas would probably have had different names today.
Let us begin at the beginning shall we? Over the next couple of months or there will be short snippets, posted to the blog, on the history of Mayfield and the surrounding areas including:
Let us begin at the beginning shall we? Over the next couple of months or there will be short snippets, posted to the blog, on the history of Mayfield and the surrounding areas including:
- People who were famous to these areas and their contributions to these areas
- How Mayfield and surrounds got their names
- Industries that came into this area
- The councils prior to 1900 and after 1900
- Mayors that influenced the names of our sport houses at Mayfield West School
- Schools in the area and how they came about
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
HISTORY TIME OR YOU COULD CALL IT TRIVIA TIME
Did you know that Newcastle was actually settled twice?
It was first discovered by Lt John Shortland, who was searching for escaped convicts from the Sydney Settlement in 1797, when he sailed as far as Port Stephens. On his return down the east coast he decided to take a closer look at a strange looking rock which he named Nobby Island to find out just where it lead.
So on the 9th September 1797 Lt John Shortland sailed into a river which he named Hunters River; he noted the following in a letter to his father also named John Shortland
"About a twelve-month ago I went on an expedition in the Governors's whaleboat as far as Port Stephens, which lies 100 miles northward from this place. In my passage down I discovered a very fine river, which I named after Governor Hunter. The enclosed I send being an eye sketch which I took the little time I was there. Vessels from fifity to two hundred and fifty tons may load there with ease, and completely landlocked. I dare say in a little time this river will be a great aquisition to this settlement".
He landed on what is now known as Camp Shortland where he discovered coal on the river bank, he saw coal from a seam that was to be called Colliers Point and then later on Flagstaff Hill - this is now called Fort Scratchley. By 1798 enterprising traders were visiting the Coal River to obtain coal gouged out from the cliffs with the first export of coal occurring the following year when the Snow Hunter sailed for Bengal.
The next Governor of NSW was P.G.King, he arrived in the colony in April 1800 with a firm intention of exploiting the various coal discoveries made during the rule of his predecessor. However King was not impressed with the quality of coal arriving in Sydney from the Hunter river. Within twelve months Kingstown, as it was then known, closed down and all the convicts that had been brought to the area were transported to Port Macquarie.
By 1804 Lt Charles Menzies volunteered to travel to Kingstown to re-establish a settlement on the shores of the Hunter River. It was legislated in Sydney that the settlement would become the County of Northumberland (after the British county) and that the Kingstown should be named Newcastle.
Menzies took the reigns of Commandant in Newcastle and along with Lt Col Patterson and J.H Platt (who was a convict that could be trusted) they sailed back into the Newcastle around the rocky shoal of Nobby Island. They set about building the city and discovering that there was more than coal on offer in Newcastle - Cedar and Lime were in abundance as well.
Later Hannell and Wallis were to arrive in Newcastle; Wallis laid out the streets in Newcastle and Hannell designed the buildings. Francis Greenway made his way to Newcastle in 1814 and designed and over saw the building of the first wharf, he later returned to assist Hannell in the design and construction of Newcastle.
So there you have it a bit of history of "Our Town" as we know it . Hope you enjoyed this brief trip back in History.....
It was first discovered by Lt John Shortland, who was searching for escaped convicts from the Sydney Settlement in 1797, when he sailed as far as Port Stephens. On his return down the east coast he decided to take a closer look at a strange looking rock which he named Nobby Island to find out just where it lead.
So on the 9th September 1797 Lt John Shortland sailed into a river which he named Hunters River; he noted the following in a letter to his father also named John Shortland
"About a twelve-month ago I went on an expedition in the Governors's whaleboat as far as Port Stephens, which lies 100 miles northward from this place. In my passage down I discovered a very fine river, which I named after Governor Hunter. The enclosed I send being an eye sketch which I took the little time I was there. Vessels from fifity to two hundred and fifty tons may load there with ease, and completely landlocked. I dare say in a little time this river will be a great aquisition to this settlement".
He landed on what is now known as Camp Shortland where he discovered coal on the river bank, he saw coal from a seam that was to be called Colliers Point and then later on Flagstaff Hill - this is now called Fort Scratchley. By 1798 enterprising traders were visiting the Coal River to obtain coal gouged out from the cliffs with the first export of coal occurring the following year when the Snow Hunter sailed for Bengal.
The next Governor of NSW was P.G.King, he arrived in the colony in April 1800 with a firm intention of exploiting the various coal discoveries made during the rule of his predecessor. However King was not impressed with the quality of coal arriving in Sydney from the Hunter river. Within twelve months Kingstown, as it was then known, closed down and all the convicts that had been brought to the area were transported to Port Macquarie.
By 1804 Lt Charles Menzies volunteered to travel to Kingstown to re-establish a settlement on the shores of the Hunter River. It was legislated in Sydney that the settlement would become the County of Northumberland (after the British county) and that the Kingstown should be named Newcastle.
Menzies took the reigns of Commandant in Newcastle and along with Lt Col Patterson and J.H Platt (who was a convict that could be trusted) they sailed back into the Newcastle around the rocky shoal of Nobby Island. They set about building the city and discovering that there was more than coal on offer in Newcastle - Cedar and Lime were in abundance as well.
Later Hannell and Wallis were to arrive in Newcastle; Wallis laid out the streets in Newcastle and Hannell designed the buildings. Francis Greenway made his way to Newcastle in 1814 and designed and over saw the building of the first wharf, he later returned to assist Hannell in the design and construction of Newcastle.
So there you have it a bit of history of "Our Town" as we know it . Hope you enjoyed this brief trip back in History.....
Sunday, February 13, 2011
ST VALENTINES DAY
With Valentine's Day upon us here is a little bit of trivia for you all.
Valentine's Day was named after the christian martyr Saint Valentine and was established by Pope Gelasius in 500 AD. Saint Valentine was executed and buried on the Via Flamminia on February 14th.
St Valentine's day was deleted from the Roman Catholic calender of saints in 1969 by Pope Paul VI, but its religious observance is still permitted. It is traditionlly a day on which lovers express their love for each other presenting flowers, offering confectionary and sending greeting cards (known as "valentines").
Modern Valentine's Day symbols include the heart-shaped outline doves, and the figure of the winged cupid.
Old day Valentine messages were hand written and given to the person on the 14th February of each year. There were no flowers given back then just a hand written note expressing how they felt about their lover.
William Shakespeare penned a part of his play Hamlet Act IV, Scene 5 for Ophelia (1600-1601)
Tomorrow is Saint Valentine's day,
All in the morning betime,
And I a maid at your window,
To be your Valentine.
Then up he rose, and donn'd his clothes,
And dupp'd the chamber-door;
Let in the maid, that out a maid
Never departed more
That was back then, today's version of a poem for lovers goes like this:
Roses are red, the violet's are blue
The honey's sweet, and so are you
Thou are my love and I am thine
I drew thee to my Valentine
The lot was cast and then I drew
And fortune said it shou'd be you
So there you have it the tradition we call Valentine's Day. There are some countries in the world that have actually banned Valentine's Day for religious reasons. So put on your Sunday best, bring out the candles and the wine and tell your husband, wife, partner or lover just how much they mean to you on this special day.
HAPPY "VALENTINE'S DAY" everyone.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
THE REUNION DVD
Over the next week the DVD from the School Reunion held in June will be distributed. Please watch your letterbox from this week and we apologise for the delay in getting the DVD to you.
We hope you enjoy this DVD and are able to relive great memories of that night, it truly was "A trip down memory lane".
The Reunion Committee hope each and everyone of you have a 'Happy New Year'. May your health be with you and may you all stay safe.
We hope you enjoy this DVD and are able to relive great memories of that night, it truly was "A trip down memory lane".
The Reunion Committee hope each and everyone of you have a 'Happy New Year'. May your health be with you and may you all stay safe.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
CELEBRATION DAY AT MAYFIELD WEST SCHOOL
Celebration of a School Year.
The Principal of Mayfield West School Mrs Debbie Skillen invited Lesley Afflick and Margaret Gayler to be apart of their celebrations this year, along with Tony Davis, who has been presenting the Barry Elsley award for a number of years now.
What a honour it was to not only be invited back to our old school but to present the Barry Elsley Award of Encouragement for 2010.
Lesley did the honours of speaking briefly about Barry Elsley where she relayed to the students that both Margaret and her were at Mayfield West School at same time as Barry and that Tony Davis was his teacher.
The Barry Elsley Award this year went to a very deserving lad by the name of Alex Waters from Sixth class. This young lad has shown encouragement to students who are new to the school and in helping them to understand the school culture, he has shown leadership and above all demonstrated the willingness to share and guide.
To Alex Waters Congratulations
As you can also see by the photo at the top of this news we also had the great pleasure of seeing the purchase from the donation that we made to the school from the Reunion back in June. The school was able to purchase a new Lectern that they had been in dire need of for some time.
Lastly but not least we have some very good news for all the Purdue and Griffiths people from '63' - Griffiths took out theAthletics carnival for 2010 and Purdue the Swimming Carnival for 2010.
Monday, November 29, 2010
MERRY CHRISTMAS 2010
Please stay in touch with your school firends from school. Life is now too short.
To our school friends recovering from illness our best wishes go out to you and your families for Christmas this year. Stay well and look forward to seeing you all again in the future.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY.
To all the Dads, Step Dads, Grand-dads and Great Grand-dads we would like to take this opportunity in wishing you all a very Happy Fathers Day for the 5th September.
We hope you are spoiled rotten and get plenty of singlets, socks and underwear or maybe a cooking book for the new age Dad.
We hope you enjoy your day with all your family around you.
We hope you are spoiled rotten and get plenty of singlets, socks and underwear or maybe a cooking book for the new age Dad.
We hope you enjoy your day with all your family around you.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
A THOUGHT ON THE DATE FOR THE 50TH YEAR SCHOOL REUNION
Hi everyone with all of the excitement of such a wonderful recent school reunion the cart has been put ahead of the horse for organising the next great event by pre-empting the date.
We will again send out a survey to gain your ideas in respect to most suitable dates, type of events, format, attendees etc; we look forward to your feedback on this and we are open to suggestions.
There are some thoughts that the 50th reunion could be a three day event such as a long weekend - if this is decided by the majority, we will ensure the date is gazetted this time prior to bookings!!
This reunion will be something to really look forward to if the success of the Reunion in June this year is anything to go by.
Reunion Committee
Once again the next reunion will be one that belongs to everyone and as the committee we are just the instruments in assisting this to happen.
We will again send out a survey to gain your ideas in respect to most suitable dates, type of events, format, attendees etc; we look forward to your feedback on this and we are open to suggestions.
There are some thoughts that the 50th reunion could be a three day event such as a long weekend - if this is decided by the majority, we will ensure the date is gazetted this time prior to bookings!!
This reunion will be something to really look forward to if the success of the Reunion in June this year is anything to go by.
Reunion Committee
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)