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COLLINS
Captain Thomas Collins, aged 24 years,
first sailed into Port Jackson in 1814 as a member of the crew of the ship
“Three B’s.”
Junior officers on the Indo-China run did not lack excitement, for the
vessel was burned to the water’s edge in Farm Cove, all possessions being lost.
Captain Collins could
have returned to the regular China run, but was captivated by the natural beauty
of the place, and also by the discovery that Australian waters abounded in
whales. This made a lasting impression on a mind seeking a quick avenue to
wealth and a career.
He
was, for a period, an officer in the Indian Navy, spending his periodical leave
ashore in the village of Road, Somerset, some six miles from Bath, at the old
family home of Rockabella, a picturesque Tudor home built with its foundations
literally in the tiny brook that bubbles its way through the quiet old world
place.
In
1826, he married Miss Sophie Pamela Danvers, a playmate of his from his youth.
She was a member of a very old Somerset family who could trace their ancestry
beyond the Norman conquest. She was a descendant of Sir John Danvers, one of the
signatories to the Magna Carta. Miss Sophie, aged 18 years old, was the village
belle, a beauty, and the toast of Bath, which was still a fashionable resort
although Beau Nash had been dead for several years.
They
were married in a church at Richmond, in Surrey, and thus began a marriage,
ideal in its constancy and devotion.
They
sailed for Australia in the Captain’s own schooner, “Elizabeth,” on its third
voyage.
Their
first child, Thomas Danvers Collins, was born in Sydney
on 27 December, 1827. This infant did not survive, and the parents returned to
England in the same ship. Leaving again for the same destination, they sailed
early in 1829, and their second son, James Carden Collins, was born at sea off
Teneriffe on 25 February 1829.
The
family lived at Annandale in Sydney from 1831 to 1837. During this period, five
children were born, of whom the two eldest did not survive infancy.
In
1837-1838, the family returned to England in their own vessel. Two more children
were born during the next few years, one at the mother’s old home in Wiltshire,
and the other at Road, in Somerset.
After
a short interval, the mother had enough of this separation, and decided to
return to Sydney and rejoin her husband, who had preceded her some time
earlier.
The
last child born to this union, was Sophie Earle Collins, born at Telemon, on
the Upper Logan, in 1849.
In
fifteen years of married life, Sophie, the gay 18 year old beauty of Bath, had
sailed across the world five times, there and back, raising a young family under
conditions that would appall most mothers today, with the added grief of losing
three out of four first children.
They
settled in Leichhardt, a fashionable suburb of Sydney.
The
eldest daughter, Emma Pamela Collins, married Andrew
Inglis Henderson, of Gimboomba (Jimboomba) on the Logan River, in southern
Queensland, and not so far from her later home.
Andrew Inglis Henderson and his brother had travelled their flocks across
the Ranges from Bathurst, as did many others. Andrew settled at his new property
on the Logan, and his brother, James Henderson, pushed further north, and
settled on the Burnett, where his descendants still
remain.
The
next sister, Jessie Lambert Collins, high spirited and a
splendid horse-woman, married Alfred William Compigne, son of a French émigré
family who had settled in England. Alfred William Compigne was born in 1818. He
arrived at Sydney Cove in the 400 ton barque “Honduras” in 1839. He purchased
Nindooinbah station on the Logan River, variously described as being “18 miles
by one mile,” “twenty two square miles,” and “thirty square miles.” He set out
on the 850 mile journey from Carcoar, in August, 1846, from a property that he
had been managing in order to gain experience. He had 7,000 sheep, some
bullocks, and a dray load of stores. He was one of the first to use a pole on
his wagon, and this created some interest. He traversed past the site of the
future town of Mudgee, over the Liverpool Plains and the Darling Downs, through
Cunningham’s Gap, and on to Teviot and Beaudesert, following the rough track
made by Cunningham. Perils were many, both from natural causes and from the
natives. The steep banks of the Logan River at Bromelton caused considerable
trouble, as it did to others.
An
ex-officer of Dragoons, and with some experience as a station manager, he was
very quickly a man of mark in the community.
In
May 1860, he was summoned to the first Legislative Council of Queensland, and at
the time of his death on 4 June, 1909, he was the last remaining member of the
original Legislative Council. The property Nindooinbah, was purchased from
Captain Jones of Bathurst, who had bought it from the original founders of the
run, the brothers Paul and Clement Lawless, in 1848, when they moved to the
Burnett.
In
1863, Alfred William Compigne sold Nindooinbah to one of Australia’s most
colourful sons, Captain Robert Towns. It was Captain
Robert Towns who
established a large cotton plantation about three miles out from the present
Beaudesert. The area was about 4,000 acres, of which some 400 acres was planted
to cotton. Towns named the plantation Townsvale, and Towns was one of the first
to employ Kanaka labour, the first of whom, 87 all told, came in the “Don Juan,”
the mate of whom, Ross Lewin, was considered to be one of the worst blackguards
employed in that highly unsavoury trade. About 260 of these expatriates worked
there.
In
1855, Towns, who was a member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales,
built a new paddle steamer for the Brisbane to Ipswich trade. The initial trip
was made the occasion for quite considerable festivities. This vessel, named the
“Breadalbane,” was the one used to transport Governor Bowen on his arrival in
Queensland to his landing at the Botanical Gardens in
Brisbane.
“Townsvale” embraced the present day areas of Woodhill, Gleneagles, and
Veresdale. Townsvale had been earlier known as Plantations Flats, and before
that, the area had been named “Letitia Plains” by Captain
Logan.
The
city of Townsville was also named after Captain Robert
Towns.
Gleneagle was earlier known as Tullamore, so named by William Rafter, one
of the migrants to arrive on the “Erin-go-brach,” the first of the vessels
chartered by the Irish Immigration Society in Brisbane. Most of these migrants
came from the same area of Ireland.
As
for Nindooinbah station, it was sold by Robert Towns to Messrs.
Barker and White, then to William Duckett White, and later to William Collins, second son of John
Collins of Mundoolan
station, whose family home it remained until it was subdivided into
farms.
In
1865, Alfred William Compigne resigned his seat in the Legislative Council to
become Gold Commissioner and Land Agent at Mount Perry. On 20 November. 1871, he
was appointed Police Magistrate at Gayndah, and District Commissioner and Land
Agent, succeeding Benjamin Cribb.
In
1875, Alfred William Compigne was transferred to Blackall, and was succeeded by
John Rankin, the early owner of Maroon station, and a son-in-law of John
Cameron, the founder of Fassifern. Later he was transferred to Taroom and
Banana, succeeding Arthur Morley Francis, who had been appointed in 1875.
Several years later, he was appointed to southeastern Queensland, living at
Beenleigh for a period, in a cottage he named Compigneville. His
responsibilities extended to Nerang. It is thought that the family ultimately
lived at West End, but no confirmation has been found. Alfred William Compigne
passed away on 4 June, 1909.
Captain. Tom Collins was still engaged in
a seafaring existence, mostly on the China run, and sometimes in the
Mediterranean. About 1839, he made a considerable fortune, and buying three
ships, outfitted for whaling, he set sail for Sydney, leaving his family at home
whilst he tested what had been in the back of his mind ever since he had landed
in Sydney in 1814, the prevalence of whales in Australian
waters.
Two
years later, Mrs. Collins
took the bold step of saying farewell to her pretty home in England for the last
time, and with her six young children, the oldest of whom was about 12 years
old, set out for Australia in 1841 for Sydney in the ship
“Angelina.”
This
was her fifth voyage across the world in a wind-jammer.
The
long voyage was not without its thrills and dangers, as a heavy storm in the bay
of Biscay caused damage to the ship and injury to some members of the crew, Mrs.
Collins giving what
medical treatment was possible in the circumstances.
Off
Cape Town, another savage storm dismasted the vessel.
The
Captain was for turning back, and a delay of six weeks during a refit was
appreciated more by the children than the adults, the children making it just
one long holiday. Jessie was a lively girl of about 11 years and enjoyed every
minute of the seven month’s voyage. She was friends with all the crew, her
especial favourite being the Bosun, who fascinated her with his habit of
drinking his ale from a leathern bottle. It was from him that she earned the
nick-name of “Black Jack,” one that clung to her all her
life.
Upon
settling in Sydney, Captain Collins, who had made a
handsome profit from carrying Government migrants from England, was granted 640
acres of land at Bathurst by the Government These grants of land were generally
based upon the principle of a payment of 12 /- for every acre, but Government
grants were often given as recompense for services rendered, and this would seem
to be just such an instance.
The
Captain had by this time tired of the seafaring life, and afterwards took up
land at Maitland, and when his family returned to Sydney in 1842, he had moved
further northwards to Queensland, and settled on a property on the McIntyre
Brook on the Darling Downs. To this property, he gave the name of Cooloomunda,
or, as the natives called it, Kabbathemani.
The
Captain’s whaling days lasted from 1827 until about 1846, with his own vessel
“Elizabeth,” which he owned for 20 years. She was ultimately sold to a man named
A. W. White, and was for a while engaged in the New Zealand- Sydney trade, she
being referred to in connection with the Maori War.
On
arrival in Sydney, Carden, aged 13, with a short period of preparation,
accompanied an uncle, William Weeks, the son of a celebrated doctor in Kent, on
an adventurous journey of over 400 miles to join his father, the rest of the
family remaining in Sydney for a while.
The
natives were troublesome, and it was a series of fights for most of the way.
After spending several years on this property, Cooloomunda, the Captain sold out
and purchased Telemon station on the Upper Logan River from Robert Tertius Campbell
about 1845. Campbell was the youngest of three brothers, Colin, John and Robert, sons of a Highland
family that had come very soon after the Leslies in 1840. John Campbell states
in his pamphlet “Early Settlement in Queensland,” printed in 1875, that he
actually was the first man to hold stock in what is now Queensland, although he
actually owned no land at that moment.
Most articles printed state that Robert Tertius Campbell had the first licence for Telemon, but the late R. M. Collins states that George Mocatta, who held the Grantham run at the time, actually owned and lived on Telemon for a while. Campbell’s licence was dated 28 September 1844. Campbell also held Grantham for a while, and later on he moved to Jondaryan, also spelled Yondarion. In 1853, Telemon was described as comprising 70,000 acres, capable of carrying 1800 cattle, and 12,000 sheep.
In
1860, Captain Collins
exercised his right to convert a portion of the property to freehold. This was
in accord with the provisions of the Crown Lands Alienations Acts of that
period, which resumed approximately half of the areas from squatters with their
annual licence, enabling them to secure a title at a moderate cost, generally of
20 /- per acre. As a matter of record, the following figures quoted from
“Queensland Country Life” of 25 June, 1900, gives the freeholdings as –
Jimboomba 4,000 acres; Maroon, 7,000 acres; Tamrookum, 11,000 acres;
Hollow, 7,000 acres; Rathdowney, 22,000 acres; Nindooinbah, 19,000 acres;
Undulla, 7,000 acres; Mundoolan, 12,000 acres; Tabragalba 19,000 acres;
Tambourine, 5,000 acres, making a total of 141,000 acres held by 13
estates.
Graziers had, previously to the creation of the new Colony, been given
some relief and concessions by the New South Wales law, a distinct improvement
on the method of annual depasturing licences.
It
was the passing of these new Acts that cleared the way for the settlement of
small townships now growing steadily in importance and influence, and it is of
interest to realise that Rathdowney and Kerry formerly were outstations, and
Tambourine Village was part of the old station.
Carden Collins
remembered the growing of their own wheat at Cooloomunda, and making their own
flour. The natives used to grind the grain for them in a small steel mill, and
for their pains, were given the bran. When moving to their new home at Telemon,
it took three months to transfer their cattle, numbering about 5,000, and all
pretty wild. Without roads, fences or railways, the going was over open country,
the only transport being by horse or bullock wagon.
The
country was unsuited for sheep, and after a while, they were replaced with
cattle. Most of the runs underwent the same experience. He could also recall the
planting of cotton on Townsvale plantation, and the damage done by several of
the very serious floods that swept the southeastern part of the Colony, the top
soil being swept away with the young plants. Mention was also made of an
ingenious plough operated from each end of the cultivation by an engine, and a
steel rope attached to the plough. He states that this was the only cotton grown
in the area in his time.
John
Collins took after
Mundoolun just before Captain Thomas Collins took up Telemon, and
Carden Collins pays a
tribute to a fine upright man, including his family when saying so. He went on
to say that whilst his parents lived at Telemon, he took up Tamborine station on
the Albert River, but after holding it for several years, he sold to Charles
Graham. The latter did not prosper, and died shortly afterwards in Rockhampton,
after leaving Tambourine.
This
is correct, but to avoid any doubt, the various holders are given in what is
believed to be their proper sequence.
Tambourine station, under its original name of “Burton Vale,” was taken
up by a New South Wales surveyor named Robert
Dixon.
He
was one of a team sent to Moreton Bay settlement to survey Brisbane Town and the
surrounding 50 mile radius that had been instituted by the establishment of the
penal settlement. This had just been abolished, and Dixon had been given the
task of surveying the East Moreton district. He had surveyed to about the Logan
reserve, leaving most of the inland untouched. It was quite a common practice
for a surveyor to be about 2 years late in fixing correct boundaries. This was
the cause of frequent disputes, and the lot of the Land Commissioner was like
the policeman in Gilbert and Sullivan’s opera, “not a happy
one.”
Dixon
took up the property on 12 January, 1843, but sold out to H. P. Hicks nine
months later on 30 June, 1844. Most articles state this as being correct, but
Mr. Collins states that
Hicks and Whiting bought it (this name is generally spelled as Whitting). A
reference has been noted that Dixon was recalled to Sydney about this time, and
disciplined for injudicious utterances in public. This might have some bearing
on the sudden disposal of the property.
Eighteen months later, portion of the run was taken over by Dugald
Graham for Whitting and Co., so
that both versions can be correct. This portion was named Tabragalba, and the
other portion was renamed Tambourine (old spelling). This name appears as early
as 1831 on a map by Arrowsmith, giving the origin as two native words Tam
meaning a yam, and birin, meaning a cliff. This is the version accepted by the
Native Affairs Department, but has been twisted by several writers as “a place
of yams.” The former version is also that used by the two other tribes that
frequented the mountain, the Coomera, and the Nerang tribes, the three dialects
being very similar.
Ownership of the Tambourine station changed again in 1848 to Donald
Coutts, who held the property until the 1850s, when it was bought by Dugald
Graham. It changed hands again in quick succession to James Taylor, then to John
Frazer and Warnod. It was then purchased by Carden Collins who sold it to
Charles Graham, thence to the Bank of Australasia at Ipswich, who put in their
Pastoral Inspector, the newly arrived Mr. Dr Burgh Persse, for a
year.
In
1865 it passed to William Tooth, a member of the Sydney “Kent” brewery family.
He sold it to Captain Williams.
In
1870, it was bought by Mr. J. H. Delpratt, a gentleman of French nationality,
who came from his home on the Isle of Jersey. This newcomer arrived in
Queensland in 1860, and obtained experience as a jackaroo on Beaudesert station
for five years. Returning to England, he obtained and resigned a commission with
the West India regiment. He returned to Queensland about 1866, and purchased
Tambourine station, which is still in the possession of the
family.
To
rejoin her family, Mrs. Collins and the rest of the
children sailed from Sydney to Brisbane in 1847. The voyage was undertaken with
some nervousness, as the wreck of the “Sovereign” had taken place only a few
months previously. A 200 ton wooden paddle steamer, the “Sovereign” had gone
ashore at the South Passage of Moreton Island and Stradbroke Island, with the
loss of 47 lives.
However, the trip was without incident, and after a few weeks devoted to
buying necessary stores, bullocks, a wagon, and a dray and tarpaulins, the
family set off once more on their trek of 50 miles through Cooper’s (Cowper’s)
Plains, Brown’s Plains, across the Logan River at McLean, past the bottom lands
of Bobby Towns, to where Beaudesert now stands. The crossing at McLean was of
considerable importance, and a brief description is not out of place. The steep
bank had been cut down to a reasonable grade, and the bed of the river was lined
with long logs, laid parallel and spiked together. The wheels of transport could
handle it with reasonable care, but it presented a trap for the legs of the
animals. The crossing at Bromelton was really a game of chance, as the steep
banks were a terror to bullockies, and in more than one instance, a team with
its heavy load went down with a rush, sometimes meaning the death or maiming of
valuable leaders or gear. Flash floods in this stream added to the difficulty.
The site of the old crossing at McLean is still visible, and could very suitably
be made the occasion of a plaque to commemorate what, in reality, was the
gateway to the Upper Logan area.
It
meant a long and weary pull over blacksoil plains, past Bromelton and Tamrookum stations, amid an
amphitheatre of blue hills, the old Telemon homestead stood, and they were home,
and, once again, united. The air was like wine, and the river and Running Creek
flowed through the rich lands, loaded in those days with splendid cedar trees,
while Mounts Barney, Lindesay, and Maroon, frowned down upon them from the
south. Mount Marroon was called that at that time by the natives “wahl morom,”
and was actually called Clanmorris by Captain Logan, and for a little while it
was called Mount Walker.
When
Captain Tom Collins
bought Telemon, it was stocked with 63 horses and cattle, and 4351 sheep, the
purchase price being £100. He also took over Marroon about this time. This
property was first known as Melcombe, with an area of 20,000 acres, and was
owned by John Rankin, in 1845. Rankin was related in marriage with the
Macdonalds of Dugandan and Undulla, and a son-in-law of John Cameron of
Fassifern.
Later
on, Rankin was appointed Police Magistrate at Blackall, succeeding Mr. Compeigne
about 1876. Rankin made his home at Ipswich, and was a prominent citizen,
filling many important posts. Later on, Rankin sold Melcombe to Robert Campbell. The
Campbell’s owned Glengallan and Westbrook on the Darling Downs, and it was after
these had been properly defined that Campbell sold Melcombe (Marroon) to Captain
Collins. The official
boundaries were set out as being bounded on the north by a range running between
the Logan River and Teviot Brook; in the south, by Mount Lindesay; in the west
by Wilson’s Peak, Mount Clancy; and on the east by the boundary of Telemon
station.
According to native legend, a lubra once went hunting there with her
father and brother during the season when the eating of the flesh of the iguana
was forbidden. Murrun was the native word for iguana. Hungry, she ate the
forbidden flesh. The Creator (Baiame) observing this, caused a great storm to
arise, and so terrify the lubra that she would confess. Still Baiame as not
appeased.
The
earth rose up and flung itself in a great mound over the unhappy girl. The
natives immediately named the mountain Murrun.
The
legend was transmitted from generation to generation, and the name
preserved.
Access to Marroon station in those days was from Brisbane to Ipswich, and
then through the Dugandan Scrub which formed the eastern boundary of Dugandan
station, a run of 18,000 acres held by Campbell McDonald. At the end of 1841,
Macquarie McDonald, his young wife, and his brother Campbell Livingstone
McDonald, set out from Sydney on the long overland journey either before or
shortly after the trip made by William Humphreys and the Lawless brothers,
following the same route down through Cunningham’s Gap.
In
full sight of the towering mountains climbed by Captain Logan, and also in sight
of Cunningham’s Gap, and the link by link chain of 4,000 feet peaks of the
Dividing Range, the two brothers and the first white woman outside the Penal
Settlement, settled down on what was to become Dugandan station, taking two or
three years on the journey. Dugandan Scrub is no more.
The
railway opened through it to the township of Boonah now passes through orderly
farms and quiet settlements, but in those early days, it took a whole day to
pass the scrub, which was exceptional dense.
Further on lay Dugandan head station, the stopping place for the night.
Another day’s journey took the traveller through Coochin Plains (Ga-jin meaning
red stone), and known in those days as Dulhunty’s Plains, and since 1882 as the
famed Coochin Coochin, the home of the Bell family, and bought at first as an
out station for their Cambooya property. Skirting a lagoon with great pink and
blue water lilies floating on the surface, the traveller came within the Marroon
territory, guarded by the watching mountains. In those fastnesses are the
headwaters of two waterways, the first system falling away to the west,
ultimately by finding its way to the southern ocean. The creeks of the second
system follow the north-easterly fall of the land, crawl through gorges to the
lower levels, and make their way across fertile pastures to the Pacific, forming
the Logan River, which travels down for some ten miles before it receives the
waters of Burnett Creek, after they have passed through the home paddocks of
Marroon. The place was truly a mountain stronghold.
There
was but one outlet with any passable road through Dugandan as described.
Although the head stations at Telemon and Tamrookum were less than
twenty miles away, the journey was a long and arduous one, no vehicle being able
to pass over the track, and they were even fearsome to the timid rider. One
false step, and horse and rider might plunge through rotting vegetation to the
rocky bed hundreds of feet below.
The
earliest settlers of the foothills of the McPherson Range lived in separate
worlds although north and south sides were both still in the same colony of New
South Wales. The pioneers of the Tweed and Richmond districts, south of the
Range, saw to the northwards, several towering dense great masses rising in a
barrier of terrifying suddenness.
News
on both sides, separated by less than ten to twenty miles, over the range,
travelled slowly around same. On the southern side, settlement was still in the
form of squattages or runs. This country was originally discovered by an escaped
convict named Craig from the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement, who lived with the
blacks for some ten years, and in their company, passed all through this and the
surrounding country as far as Trial Bay near Coff’s Harbour, where he gave
himself up to the authorities. By disclosing the whereabouts of a considerable
number of strayed Government cattle, he was granted a free
pardon.
Subsequently, he made a living by escorting incoming settlers to the
newly discovered lands. Amongst the earliest were the late C. D. S. Ogilvie, of
Yalgilbar, Clarence River, who took over, in the 1820s, the Wyangerie Estate
from his brother in law, Wellington Cochrane Bundock, son of a Royal Navy
Officer, of Devon.
This
estate, at a later date, passed back to W. C. Bundock.
Charles Ogilvie’s paternal grandfather was a descendant of the ancient
Scottish families of Grants and Ogilvies, notable in their days as history
makers at Airlie, being descended from the Earls of Airlie. He and his brother
fought at the Battle of Trafalgar, and William Ogilvie was given his promotion
from middy to Lieutenant by Nelson personally, for good work at the Battle of
Copenhagen. For his services he was given a Crown Grant on the Hunter River, New
South Wales. to which he gave the name of Merton, after the property in England
owned at the time by Nelson himself.
In
1916, a direct descendant was living at “Ilparrah” at Glen Innes. It was in 1838
that Captain Ogilvie settled on Wyangerie. The native name means “camping place
beside the pink lily lagoon,” and is situated in a fertile valley surrounded by
towering mountains. In the same neighbourhood was Unumgar station, owned by
James Glennie, a name of some importance in this family
narrative.
Unfortunately, it has been found difficult to trace the life of his
ancestral branch as fully as desired. He was a brother (not uncle) of the future
Archdeacon Benjamin Glennie, and an extract from a publication by Professor
Eikin of Sydney University named
“The Diocese of Newcastle,”
on page 739 states, “Benjamin Glennie with Alfred (brother) already mentioned,
were members of the family of the Rev. Dr. Glennie, who conducted a school at
Dulwich Grove, Surrey.”
A
little later on, the following, “Alfred Glennie was a brother of Benjamin
Glennie, who came out with Bishop Tyrrell; of Henry Glennie, who received a
grant of “Dulwich” near Singleton in 1824, and of Dr. James Glennie who, in 1832
settled and practiced at Singleton. Alfred Glennie farmed at Glenbourne, Allyn
River, about two miles from East Grewford.”
Reference has been noted that James Glennie arrived on the same ship as
Captain William Ogilvie, his young wife Mary White, and her sister, Susan White,
in 1838, and the two were married in Sydney. It is assumed that the date of 1832
would be more correct, otherwise the later marriage of their only child, Mary
Helena Glennie, to James Carden Collins, in 1852, would make
the bride a child of only 14 years. It is nearer the truth to say that the
doctor practised at Singleton, or elsewhere, and settled at the Unumgar property
when the Ogilvies moved in, in 1838.
It is
interesting to note that an outstanding ledge on the Range overlooking the
property was, and still is, known as “Glennie’s Chair.”
Captain Ogilvie and the White girls were cousins, and also cousin to Sir
Arthur Kennedy, Gov of Queensland. Mrs. Ogilvie had two daughters, one of whom,
in due course, married William Bundock of Wyangarie.
Their
grandson, Charles Wyndham Bundock, who died on 11 September, 1960, purchased the
property “Kooralbyn” in 1890. In the Beaudesert area, it consisted of 12,000
acres. In 1891, he married Miss Scarvell, of Sydney. A keen follower of hounds
and horse-racing, he owned and won a Queensland Cup with Sea Breeze in 1905. He
was a member of the Q.T.C. and the Queensland Club.
James
Carden Collins was now
about 24 years of age, and he courted and married Mary Helena Glennie at
Richmond River township in 1852. He had been managing Marroon for his father,
and the property was now given to him as a wedding
present.
It
was Mary Collins who
altered the name of the property from Morcombe to Marroon, thus preserving for
all time, the native legend which along with the others is vanishing together
with the people that created these imaginative tales. James Glennie, with the
assistance of the natives carved a vehicular track across the range to his
daughter’s new home.
Mrs.
Irving states that this was in 1854 after the birth of their first child, but
William Hunter stated that when a child of 9 years old, he lived on Marroon
station with his parents on their arrival from England in 1851. His father’s
duties were to carry stores from Ipswich to Marroon and Unumgar,, stating that
Carden Collins was the
only white person on the property, a job that lasted for 9 years. This is
evidence that this road was opened at least in 1851, and probably somewhat
earlier. This passage was of importance, and was sited northeast of Mount
Lindsay, being within a few miles of where Captain Logan and Alan Cunningham had
explored in 1828. A little later, James Glennie drove a wagon from Unumgar to
the Logan River, thus opening what possibly was the first regular means of
communication across the range.
It
led to the institution of a mail route about 1866, the schedule run by a mail
coach travelling from Brisbane Post Office, once a week to casino, a distance of
154 miles. The route was via Cooper’s Plains to Brown’s Plains to Gimboomba
(Jimboomba), which was a staging post for Cobb and Co, who started operations in
Queensland in 1865, Thence to Mundoolun, to Nindooinbah (Ninduinbah- place of
soot) to Beaudesert to Tamrookum (Dundrugum) to
Telemon (Dilummunn), across the border to Unumgar to Wyangerie to McKellar’s
station, and thence to Casino Post Office. The Queensland Government paid a
share of this service, as the places served were Tabragalba (Jabir-aloa, place
of nulla nulla, a giant nulla nulla was unearthed here), Bromelton, and nearly
fifty other settlers by the Teviot and Marroon. In the early eighties, the mail
came once weekly from Beenleigh via Tamborine and Tabragalba to Brayford’s store
and receiving office in Nindooinbah, the late Mr. R. Johnston, of Kerry, being
the mail contractor. A grandson of this veteran was, at a fairly recent date,
operating the local mail service, which must be a near record in public
service.
Marroon Homestead- William
Hunter stated that in 1851, there were only several small huts on Marroon, but
Carden Collins stated
that he built a very nice home for his bride in 1852. It consisted of two large
rooms, one a parlour, the other a bedroom, and a good many verandah rooms. He
also built stockyards and fenced paddocks. Sheep were tried again but were not a
success, and the run was turned over to cattle.
In
October 1864, Carden Collins sold Marroon to
Thomas Murray Prior, who, at the time, was Postmaster General. He was a former
owner of Bromelton on the Logan River, from whence he had moved to Hawkwood
station in the Burnett country, without much financial
success.
Recently married to Miss Matilda Harpur, daughter of Thomas Harpur, of
Cecil Plains, on the Parramatta, he built for his bride a new homestead, with
wide verandahs, extending on three sides. A one storied bungalow, the bark roof
projected its ragged edge beyond the log posts, which were festooned with
climbing plants, and a large grape vine.
French windows led into low cedar lined rooms, canvas ceiled, with rugs
and skins covering the wide white floor. Close by stood the men’s quarters, a
long building, cedar ceiled with sawn wood, with a long verandah, and a fifty
gallon water butt alongside. The meat house was of slabs, and nearby stood the
storehouse, fully stocked. Built on to the carpenter’s shop and the forge was a
lean to lined with bunks.
Carden Collins
states that Mrs. Harpur was tall grave eyed girl, and a very fine one. Murray
Prior was married twice, then name of his second wife being Miss
Barron.
Another daughter was born to Mrs. Collins during their stay at
Telemon, Sophia Elizabeth Earle Collins, who subsequently
married William Nott, who was keeping the books at Barambah station in the Wide
Bay district.
A
reference has been noted that they resided for a while at Unumgar station,
without confirmation. Her home for the rest of her life was “Greycliffe,” a
cattle station on the Dawson River. She had a nursing daughter and two sons
return from the first World War. She died in 1929, the last of her sisters and
brothers.
It is
related that Mr. Nott and a stockman captured the bushranger known as the
“Flying Scotsman,” who was seated on a log eating a meal. He surrendered quite
peacefully, and it is understood that he subsequently received a sentence of 25
years at St. Helena Island in Moreton Bay.
The
first child of the marriage of Carden and Mary Collins was Frederick
Glennie Collins, born in
October 1854. The second son, Francis George Collins, was born in May,
8163, at Spring Gardens, Ipswich. Later on he attended the first Grammar School
in Queensland which was opened on 25 Sept 1863. In 1861, Carden Collins and a partner, J. A.
Saunders, took over Coochin Coochin from Messrs. Tooth and Holt. William Tooth
was a former holder of Tambourine station. Holt moved to the
Burnett.
In
Sept, 1865, Carden Collins sold out to his
partner. The area of the property at that period was 86,000 acres. Within a few
years, this had been reduced to 38,500 acres. Another source states that Carden
Collins sold the property
to the Oriental Bank in 1864, and that in September of the same year, he sold
Marroon to Thomas Murray-Prior.
Marroon was sub-divided in 1914, the homestead being purchased by T. S.
Murray-Prior. The property was sold to J. Vellacott in 1920, who sold to Peter
Bell in February, 1930, the present owner being S. S.
Appleby.
An
anecdote regarding Captain Tom Collins is related in
Nehemiah Bartley’s Reminiscences of Early Brisbane Town. The locale was
Grenier’s Inn, in Gray Street, South Brisbane, later on absorbed into railway
property.
All
innocent fun, but the sea captain was the victim. Some prankster unknown packed
up all the cutlery and silver on the dining tables, and hid the lot in the
Captain’s grip, just prior to his departure for Marroon. Mrs. Grenier thought
that the blacks had taken the booty, and a thorough search of their camp was
made, without result. The mystery was solved about a fortnight later, when
captain Collins stamped
in, and threw the package on the floor of the verandah, accompanied by some of
that figurative language that seems so peculiarly suited to elderly sea
captains. The real culprit was never known, but all was forgotten, and the
Captain stayed there as formerly. It was all taken in good part in those days,
and there was a feeling of friendship between landlord and guest which is all
sadly out of date now. A comment has been left regarding the personality of
Carden Collins, by a
friend, John Watts, of Felton and Eton Vale stations: “He was a first rate
little fellow, full of fun, and a splendid rider. He could be trusted to take
the first flight in rounding up a mob of cattle, and, at night, he could sing a
song so that we all had a merry time of it, notwithstanding the
natives.”
Racing was Carden Collin’s hobby, and he stated that the natives came
from miles around to watch. He was an amateur rider, and hurdling was his
preference. He kept a large stable of horses at Marroon, having as many as five
in training at a time. It is worthy of note that Mr. T. S. Murray-Prior at a
later date maintained a fine stud of Arab blood at the old
property.
Carden Collins
stated that he also did some flat racing, and an occasional steeplechase, and he
mentions Toby, an old contribution of his who made a lot of money for him. Toby
could jump anything, and, one day in a shanty at Ipswich, he challenged some
Sydney men who were boasting about their horses. Trusting to his horse, he
chipped in, “I don’t mind taking you for £50.”
Races
were then held at Cooper’s Plains, and the race was run in the presence of the
Gov, Sir George Bowen, and his suite. The distance was two miles, and he engaged
his brother, Bob, as jockey. The start was not auspicious, as Toby baulked at
the first hurdle, whilst his rider went on ahead of him. Nothing daunted, Bob
remounted, apparently hopelessly out of the race. However, he cleared the rest
of the hurdles splendidly. At the last hurdle, the visitor’s horse came down,
and Toby won easily.
Huntsman was another good horse, especially over three miles. He states
that he once rode a horse for the late John Tait, the well-known racing man in a
Corinthian race, and won. Some time afterwards he received a saddle from him,
worth £5. He commented, “This was the only present I ever got from the owners of
my winning mounts, so I thought a good deal of it. Hughie Campbell, the Ipswich
blacksmith used to shoe all my horses.”
Campbell’s father was the first blacksmith in Ipswich, and the family was
one of the very earliest in what was Ipswich proper. He commented that he had
known all the identities in Brisbane fifty years ago. He was speaking then in
1914.
He
and a friend had dinner with Ludwig Leichhardt the night before the latter
started on his last journey. This would have been at Grenier’s Inn, where all
the Logan River station holders met, and where Leichhardt stayed. It was from
near here that the latter commenced his journey of no return. Carden Collins mentions that the
explorer was no bushman, as understood out here, and needed a compass. He also
states that his brother Bob, with a friend named Horace Walpole, took up land on
the Flinders many years ago, and named it Telemon, after the old home on the
Logan. Horace Walpole had been employed at Bromelton by Murray Prior, and when
the latter sold out, it was Walpole who drove his stock for him to his new
property, Hawkwood, on the Dawson River. The native name for Bromelton was
Bungroopin. The venture on the Flinders was not a success, and the property was
sold to a man named Stuart.
Shortly afterwards, Bob Collins went to California,
where he settled until his death about 1912. He had been ruined by the great
earthquake of 1905, lost all his possessions and had to make a fresh start. The
memoirs state that cattle did not bring the prices obtainable now (1914). Most
of the cattle were sent to the boiling down works at Ipswich, and they were
lucky to get £2 per head, after travelling them sometimes 200
miles.
When
Carden Collins was at
Marroon in 1850, a young man named Ezra Harvey worked for him for some years.
After an interval, he and brother-in-law, George Langdon, took up an area of
land on the southern side of Burnett’s Creek, Marroon being on the north side.
Minage and Lightbody were other settlers, and they took up land south of the
Harvey-Langdon property.
Marroon was cut up and sold by the Murray-Prior family in 1914, the area
being about 10,000 acres. Much of the Harvey-Langdon land has also been sold,
but part is still in the possession of the family. Another portion is owned by
G. E. Cochrane, who is a son of Ezra Harvey’s eldest daughter, Jane, who was the
first child born on the Marroon settlement. Part of the Minage holding is still
in the possession of the family.
Transport
Difficulties: Mr. and Mrs. John Hunter
came to Australia in 1851, and worked for Carden Collins when he was the only
white man on the property. Their eldest son, William, was 9 years old at that
time, and at the age of 76, gave some details in a press interview, stating that
when he went to Marroon, there was only a hut or two.
His father’s job was to transport supplies to and from Ipswich to Marroon and Unumgar stations, Mary Glennie’s home on the Upper Richmond River. He must have traversed the route hacked out of thick scrub by her father a little earlier. In those days, bullock wagons had no brakes, and it was a common practice to tie a tree on to the back of the vehicle, when facing a steep descent. In all that long haul, the only settled places were Peak Mount station (later the home of the Winks family), Dugandan station, and Coochin Coochin.
This
was a slow and dangerous job, but it was done by John Hunter for the nine years
that he worked on the property. He would be accompanied by two native boys, who
would help chain the bullocks to the trees overnight, otherwise the animals
would go bush, being as wild as the natives that roamed the countryside. A
partnership of Hunter and Fife held Coochin Coochin for a short period, and it
is probable that this refers to this man.
Hardships of pioneering
women: There is no doubt that
women had the rough edge of life in those early days. It was not at all uncommon
for women arriving on the top of a wagon, after a long and exhausting journey,
to throw themselves onto the ground and burst into tears, when they realised
that they were expected to make a home under such
conditions.
To
anyone newly arrived from overseas, the bush had its special terrors. The
presence of large snakes in the hut, and even in the blankets, was a common
experience. At night, the trees stood like ghostly sentinels, whilst the screech
of the owl, the melancholy wail of the curlew, the howls of the dingoes, and the
croaking of frogs, made night hideous for the lonely woman, whose husband’s work
took him at times away from home. These noises kept their nerves at high
tension, and often a lonely mother would pick up her baby, and carry it in her
arms through the darkness, or the ghostly moonlight, to the home of a neighbour
for aid in illness, or for company.
The
natives were a particular terror to the wives of the new settlers. They roamed
the countryside, and though they generally kept to themselves, their yells at
night when holding a corroboree used to keep the frightened women awake. Through
the night, there would be sudden howls fit to frighten the sturdiest, and an
investigation would show a mob was chasing wallabies, with a tribe of dogs
yelping at their heels. Then the scared woman would go back to
bed.
On
more than one night, there were drunken screams from the nearby natives camp,
where liquor had been supplied to them. One or two dead bodies, hacked by
tomahawks or pierced by spears, would be awaiting burial in the morning. It is
easy to imagine women from the densely populated parts of Europe lying in their
beds in the dead of night, knowing that there was not more than a score of white
men in the whole neighbourhood, and listening to a mob of painted aboriginals
commit murder, to the accompaniment of drunken yells of execration, and the
screams of the victims.
The
black women, however, were generally of a peaceful disposition, and confined
their activities to begging. In return, they were in a position to do little
services at times. One of the most valuable was to make white mothers acquainted
with certain healing herbs in times of sickness. As the nearest doctor was at
Ipswich, and could only be consulted by riding there on horseback or carrying
the patient in a dray or German wagon, the value of this to the mothers with
young children was very great.
The
above notes were taken from a Press written by Miss Ilma Bruckner over 40 years
ago. One of a family of 12 girls and two boys, her parents were amongst the
earliest pioneers of the Dugandan district, and built the first sawmill. This
industry is still carried on by the family. The conditions described can be
taken as those ruling in the Marroon country until settlement caused some
amelioration. The following paragraphs help to tie the story together, as
related by William Hunter already referred to.
Recollections of Marroon
Aboriginals – In 1850, Carden Collins was the only white
person on the station property. When the Hunters arrived in 1851, the natives
were greatly intrigued by their first sight of a white woman. On the first
morning, whilst busy making a fire outside the hut, she looked up suddenly and
was greatly alarmed to find herself surrounded by a group of natives adorned in
all their pristine nudity.
They
stood as though rooted to the spot, and gazed at her with the curious
bewilderment of startled cattle. It was the first time that she had seen a group
of natives at close quarters, and naturally enough, she was scared. The natives
were, apparently, just as startled, for without speaking a word, they turned and
bolted for the bush. A few of the gins became friendly with Mrs. Hunter, and
would stop with for company, whilst her husband was away on one of his
trips.
At
one stage, the natives became troublesome at Marroon, killing a number of
cattle, and the police had to be called in.
With
the help of trackers a raid was made, and the natives sustained many casualties.
They were, at that time, in great numbers in the district, and if action had not
been taken, they would have wiped out everything in the area. After that raid,
most of them left the district.
While
the natives were giving trouble at Marroon, Mrs. Hunter was taken over to
Coochin Coochin station, whose homestead was, at that time, at Bunjurgen, where
there was another white woman, Mrs. Lister, who could use a gun. Her husband had
to go to Ipswich on urgent business. Each woman had a young baby, and there was
no other white man on the property. One night, a big group of natives, who were
camped not far away, created a big disturbance. They carried wood to the station
house, which was built of slabs, and began packing it against the wall with the
obvious intention of setting fire to the home.
The
women watched the proceedings for a while, and when it became plain that they
intended to set fire to the place, Mrs. Lister took down her gun, and shot every
black that she could see. The natives cleared out, but returned in the early
hours of the morning to collect the dead and wounded. Next day, they shifted
camp.
A
brief reference is made regarding a ding-dong battle between two aboriginal
tribes, which was fought in the earliest days of settlement on a level piece of
ground a mile or so north of Marroon.
For
years afterwards, natives returned to celebrate the victory, and hold
corroborees. From stories handed down, a hostile tribe came in from the south,
and attacked a local tribe. There differences were settled on this flat, which
later on was a favourite camping ground. This land is now owned by Mr. J. A.
Anders, and often he has ploughed up the heads of stone axes and other
implements, some of them unfinished. These stones were of a bluish grey colour,
and of a metal not found in the area. Apparently, in their travels, the stones
were collected and brought to camp, where they were worked into the required
shape.
Another favourite camping ground in the Marroon area was on the
Harvey-Langdon property. Both settlers occupied the same hut which was close to
the camp. A story is told that Harvey found the stench unbearable, and ploughed
up the land on which the camp was sited, thereby buying himself a long standing
war with the natives. For years afterwards, the natives were unfriendly with
him, in fact they were as a whole unfriendly towards all the whites, until the
scrub lands were taken up in 1887. Natives were failry numerous around Marroon
until about 1892, when they had their camp on the hill near the
school.
By
this time, they were a semi-civilised lot, wearing the cast-off clothes given
them, and hanging round for food and tobacco.
The
last Corroboree at Marroon was in 1905, at a spot on the creek flat near the old
main camp. They spent some weeks searching the hills for coloured clays. White
settlers attended the ceremony, but the performance was not the upsurge of a
dramatic impulse, but rather a commercial performance, terminating with the hat
being passed round for the odd shilling or two.
An
extract from Mrs. Irving’s book evidently refers to a period several years
later, as she states that the natives were not so numerous, and were more
docile, at Telemon, being peaceable and well-treated and contented. She relates
an incident when a native, covetous and aggressive, appeared suddenly at the
kitchen door, where Mrs. Collins was alone with
several gins. Despite instructions to the whole camp to keep away from the
homestead, he looked dangerous, until, with a knowledge of the essential
childlikeness of the native mind, she began to use her fan to keep a feather
floating in the air. Forgetting his previous demands, he was so interested, that
he was given the fan, and there he stayed for the next hour and a half, until
one of the white men returned to the homestead. It is also stated that all the
tribes on the Logan River could be controlled with a simple threat to throw a
“gecko” into the campfire, if orders were disobeyed. The fear of the burning of
this small lizard has never been explained, but surely is related to Murrun
legend. At any rate it was sufficient to move a camp of 200 souls, who would
meander off into the bush during the next day or so.
Mrs.
Irving states that it was lucky that these lizards were plentiful in the old
wooden houses, so that ammunition was always ample.
When
he sold Marroon, Carden Collins was hard up for
grass, so he went northwards to Baffle Creek, following the coastline. He bought
some country in the midst of properties owned by friends, notably F. Blackman of
Warroo, Harvey Holt, of Kolonga, and the Robertson
brothers.
He
named his property “Thornhill,” and stocked it with cattle from Marroon. This is
the property now owned by Thomas Borthwick, as a resting place for the cattle in
the killing season. Other properties mentioned were those of Mr. Hyde of
Wallowah, and Mr. Jones of Balfield, who sold to Mr. Holmes, when he left Moura
in the 1880s.
It was at Thornhill that his wife died in 1870, at the early age of 38 years. Some years later, Carden Collins remarried, his wife being an English widow with one daughter, who in due course, married the son of Mr. G. P. Allen, and lived in Western Queensland. Her name was Lister, and she was a sister of J. P. Pugh, the well-known Magistrate and journalist, and the man who established that great record of Queensland history, Pugh’s Almanac. There were four sons and one daughter of this marriage, and Carden Collins predeceased his wife. This lady could well have been the one mentioned as living at Coochin a little earlier in the narrative.
The
musical talents of Captain and Mrs. Collins were much in request
in Brisbane. They purchased a house “Mount Pleasant” at Kangaroo Point, and that
rambling cottage became a central point of musical gatherings, and many a gay
party when the ships came in from the South, or from French speaking Noumea. For
a period, Mrs. Collins
was the only person who spoke fluent French in the district, and many a
perplexed officer and sailor sought her aid in the search for provisions for his
ship. To the Frenchman, it was an oasis where their native tongue could be
spoken freely. The French officers, delighted at the discovery of such an oasis,
gathered around the table, and thronged her drawing room whenever they had leave
ashore. Many thank offerings were laid at her feet in gratitude for her lavish
hospitality, and for this glimpse given of a life from which they had been so
long debarred.
Captain Tom Collins and his wife were
the possessors of good voices, and their duets became a feature of many a social
gathering, and the children, as was natural in such surroundings, sang
well.
In
1872, Carden Collins
handed over Thornhill to his son, Frederick Collins, and took up
management of Torella station in the St. Lawrence district. At that time,
Torella was owned by Messrs Newbold and Campbell. In 1875, after severe floods,
the homestead was removed, and the property was renamed Wandoorah. After
managing this property for about 8 years, he took up land in the same area, and
named it Langham; there he lived for ten years. He managed Woodlands for the
Union Bank about 1895, which he relinquished in 1905. He went to Erewhon with
his son. This was part of old Woodlands, and it was here that Carden Collins gave up active
work.
Telemon
station:
About 1900, this old property had a freehold area of about 11,000 acres. It
appears to be the Innes Plains of Lieutenant Innes of the 57th
Regiment, and recorded by Captain Logan as having been crossed by him in 1827,
for in John (Tinker) Campbell’s pamphlet entitled “Early Settlement in
Queensland,” printed in 1875, there is a statement that “Mocatta had gone out
before us to look for Innes Plains, so we did not cross the river, but made
tracks to Brisbane, where, upon due application to Dr. Simpson, the Land
Commissioner, these runs were granted to us, and proved to be the first licences
on the Logan waters.” “Poor Mocatta, however, with a man named Crowe, was lost
for nine days, and nearly starved, and did not reach Brisbane for some days
after us.”
That
statement is of interest, as later in the Pamphlet, Campbell identifies the two
properties as being Tamrookum and Bromelton, the
licences being issued simultaneously. George Mocatta evidently took Telemon, as
he had missed out on the others. Shortly afterwards, Campbell sold Bromelton to
Walter Smith (accordingly to one account), or direct to Robert Aikman, but there is
no evidence that Campbell lived there or on Tamrookum. Campbell at that
time owned Westbrook and Glengallon, possibly in partnership with his
brothers.
Telemon was under offer to the Government in 1898 for twelve months, but
was subsequently purchased by Messrs. Collins and
Sons.
The
house is situated on a high knoll overlooking Oakey Creek with the rugged peaks
of the distant mountains standing sharply against the horizon. The property was,
for a period, the home of Mr. C. A. Bruckner.
Jimboomba
station:
This historic old property, now 110 years old, was first taken up by Thomas
Dowse, who held the first depasturing licence issued on 15 August 1845. Five
years later, the property passed into the hands of a publican named Robert Rowland. Described in
most articles as being a Sydney publican, it is noted that he held the licence
of the “South Brisbane,” later called “The Brisbane” Hotel, in Russell Street,
South Brisbane. He did not hold it very long, as the station property was bought
at auction in Goldsborough and Brown’s rooms in Sydney for £1,150, in 1851, by a
young Scot named Andrew Inglis Henderson, who at the age of 17 had landed in
Sydney in 1839, spending the next twelve years with his elder brother James,
gaining experience and capital. The price was a good one for the period, the
improvements consisting of a homestead, men’s huts, woolshed, yards, stores, and
4,411 head of sheep, the value of which were about 5s per head. Described as
being about 24 square miles, the original deed still in the possession of the
family, states that the carrying capacity would be 10,000 sheep. At a later
date, it was discovered that sheep were not a success, and were replaced by
cattle.
The
brothers had been living in the Maitland district, and overlanded their flocks
across the ranges, and, whilst Andrew settled into his new home, his brother
James moved forward to the Burnett district, as so many others were doing, and
his descendants are still there.
Andrew built a new homestead, which is now the oldest homestead in the
area. Situated on a hill, and built of first class red cedar off the estate and
pit-sawn, this comfortable old home is still home to the fifth generation. Added
to from time to time, the shingle roof replaced with iron, the enormous cedar
beams the length of the house, have maintained its character. Upon the death of
the founder, the estate passed to his only son, James, and it was at this time
that management changed over to cattle. In 1908, another change of policy
occurred, the property being divided into three large share farms, with 500
acres retained round the homestead. The milk was sent to
Brisbane.
Mrs.
Colin Henderson had considerable success with the breeding of cross-bred lambs.
In 1931, upon the death of Mr. James Henderson, the property was sub-divided and
sold, with the exception of the homestead block.
In
1855, Andrew Henderson married Miss Emma Pamela Collins, eldest daughter of
Captain Thomas Collins,
of Telemon and Warroon stations, on the Upper Logan River, Southern Queensland.
All of these families trace their lineage down through the centuries as will be
seen from a perusal of the family trees in the appendices
hereto.
In
the late 1850s Andrew Henderson and his wife and 2 year old son, James, visited
Scotland on a holiday trip, and returned to Brisbane on 25 July 1862, in the
barque “Sultana,” with a tonnage of 1308 tons. This was a passenger ship with
first class cabin accommodation and it is interesting to note that the total
fare for the party was £112 10s 0d. including one cubic ton of luggage. Another
old document reveals that in 1858, Andrew Henderson exercised his right to
freehold 320 acres of Jimboomba land at a cost of 20s per acre. This point is of
interest as the freeholding was effected before the new Colony was created in
1859, and it was therefore effected under the Lands Acts of New South Wales
probably dating from 1847 when graziers were granted more security. Jimboomba
(old spelling was Gimboomba), station was right on the only road and river
crossing leading to the growing settlements in the Upper Logan valley. It was a
staging camp for the coaches going to the border and beyond, and there was an
hotel on either bank of the river, with accommodation for
travellers.
This
area of Mclean is now generally spelled as MacLean, but it was named after Mr.
Peter McLean. Living at “Beliveh” or “Bolivah” near Beenleigh, he was elected to
the Legislative Assembly in the 1879 election. Defeated by Mr. E. J. Stevens in
the 1883 election by 11 votes, he was subsequently appointed Under Secretary for
Agriculture in the newly created department.
Andrew Inglis Henderson was the second son of James Henderson whose home
was at Spyfield Cottage, Juniper Green, near Edinburgh.
His
mother’s maiden name was Sophia Young. Andrew was born on 25 November 1822. His
father was a prominent figure in Her Majesty’s Inland Revenue Service. There are
many valuable documents in the possession of the family, tracing back to 1677,
when all church records were found to have been destroyed, in one of the many
political upsets of the era.
In
one certificate given to the 17 year old Andrew prior to his departure to
joining his elder brother James in Sydney, the Elders declared that “he is an
unmarried man, who leaves his Parish, free from Public Scandal or grounds of
Church censure.” Another is a “Discharge” given by Christian Inglis to Grizel
Geddie (her mother’s maiden name) and her brother, Andrew Inglis in July, 1782,
freeing them from any further liability for her upkeep. This inclusion of her
mother’s maiden name in all probability had some connection with the following
mention of a “Tack” dated 1763 contracted between Grizel Geddie and Hon. James
Wemys (old spelling) of Wemys Castle, referring to a property at Woodhead, part
of the Wemys estates, which covered several parishes. This “Tack” would seem to
be a contract between Landlord and tenant-farmer.
Another document is a certificate issued by the Church of Weems (another
spelling) and dated 1708, stating that “The Session being convened after prayer,
did sell, appropriate, and dispose to Andrew Inglis in West Quarter, one seat in
the foremost desk of the new desks-to Andrew Inglis, his heirs and
successors.”
Another valuable heirloom is the “Log” of the whaling schooner
“Elizabeth,” owned by Captain Tom Collins for over 20
years.
There
is an account of a whaling experience in the Pacific, after the arrival of
himself and his young wife, and baby, James Carden, the log terminating with the
return to Sydney on 30 January 1831.
There
is also a most interesting list of seven vessels employed in the transport of
convicts from England to Hobart Town and to Port Jackson, over the years 1830 to
1837. As reference has been seen that the Captain and bought three vessels
towards the end of that period, and further that he had enjoyed most profitable
trips, it is inferred that he was supplying some of the vessels
employed.
The
suggestion is strengthened by the fact that he was given a grant of 640 acres at
Maitland at the end of that period.
To
resume the thread of our narrative, the family name of Inglis in the Henderson
family first appeared with the marriage of Miss Grizel Geddie to John Inglis in
1762 at Woodhead. Both families were widely known and respected in the Parishes
of Cowden Law, Woodhead, and Roydeals, all on the estates of Wemyys Castle
(present spelling).
The
name appears first in 1667 spelled “Inglish,” and there is little doubt that
such changes in nomenclature were frequently made, due to the curious old
letters, and the carelessness of transcribers, in a time when illiteracy was the common heritage. Christian
Inglis, the daughter of John and Grizel Inglis married James Henderson, the
grandfather of Andrew of Jimboomba, and all references describe her as being a
girl of great personal beauty and charm.
Mrs.
Colin Henderson can trace her lineage through Debretts down the centuries, and
her connections with the Logan Valley extend nearly as far as those of her
husband.
She
is a great grand-daughter of the Marquess of Normanby, who was Governor of
Queensland/ from 1871 to 1874, a grand-daughter of Lord Henry Phipps, third son,
who married Miss Norma Leith Hay, of Ipswich, and daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
Arthur Walker, whose property Woolahra, adjoined “Townvale,” the homestead of
Captain Bobby Towns and his large cotton plantation on the Logan River, in the
early 1860s. Mr. W. T. Walker was his partner, and subsequently took over the
estate.
Mrs.
Arthur Walker was Miss Laura Phipps, a cousin of the Duchess of Gloucester. Lord
Henry Phipps owned the properties of “Te Whanga” and “The Hollow,” both in the
Beaudesert district.
“The
Hollow” originally a part of Tamrookum Station, is
situated on Sandy Creek, entering the Logan River about 9 miles below old Tamrookum Station Homestead.
About the middle of the 1880s, Lord Henry moved to Gleneagle, and sold “The
Hollow,” to Grenville Arthur Kingsley, youngest son of Canon Kingsley, author of
those delightful books, “Hereward the Wake,” and “Westward Ho.” He had lived at
Tamrookum for a while in
the early 1880s, returned home for three years, but returned to his property. He
lived there until his death in 1898, and, at his own request, was buried at Tamrookum. The property
descended to his sisters and Mr. John Martineau, and was held for a while under
lease by Mr. Lumley White. Later, it was the home of Mr. Harry Bruckner.
Descendants of Lord Henry Phipps still reside in
Queensland.
Tamborine
Station For
the sake of record, it is noted that Mr. R. M. Collins stated that Arthur
Hodgson bought this property from H. P. Hicks, before Coutts appeared on the
scene. Hodgson, later Sir Arthur Hodgson, and a prominent citizen, was a partner of G. P. Elliott in “Eton
Vale.”
They
had come from Bathurst with their flocks, and Hodgson stocked Tamborine Station
with sheep. Elliott, who was the son of a British admiral, took up
Undulla.
As
this narrative draws to an end, a place is found for two amusing little
anecdotes related to Carden Collins
himself.
He
states that when living in Sydney, after his return from England, making him
about 13 years of age, he paddled across Sydney Harbour on a plank without
misadventure, but the spanking he received from his father acted as a deterrent,
as no doubt it was meant to do, and the prank was not
repeated.
The
second memory savors rather of Jonah and the whale, or
perhaps another Baron
Munchausen, but he vouched for its truth. On one of his father’s searches for
whales, a harpooned whale was threshing madly in its death throes. Travelling at
tremendous speed, it made such a commotion in the water, that member of the crew
named Fowler was washed overboard, and landed right inside the whale’s huge
mouth. The mammal dived, but surfaced almost immediately, and threw the man into
the turbulent water, uninjured. He was picked up by one of the whaleboats,
little the worse for his unexpected adventure.
And
so the years rolled on, daughters and sons married and
died.
Sorrow came first in the early death of a loved son, and again when
captain Collins was
stricken with paralysis, said to be the result of an accident sustained during
his seafaring years.
He
lingered for many years, almost helpless, living at Nindooinbah with his
daughter, Mrs Compigne. His wife predeceased him by three years at Telemon. One
more victim to the dread disease which, even today, baffles medical skill and
care, enduring twelve months of agony without a murmur (Ed: cancer). Captain Collins was buried on the
hillside at Nindooinbah overlooking the lagoon where the water laps the shore,
surely a requiem befitting a sailor.
And
so to the end of our story. A pretty tale, perhaps not so colourful as some. Gay
and pretty Sophie, just a pioneer, who thought little of leaving all the
comforts and security of her comfortable English country home, to follow her man
across the world to unknown climes and dangers. Bearing the loneliness and
anxieties, the floods and the droughts, making, mending, and contriving, and
recompensed for all by her knowledge that her home was where her heart was, she
was just a pioneer woman, like so many others, and as such, entitled to all the
recognition and honour that posterity cane render her
memory.
**
DANVERS AND COLLINS FAMILY
TREE:
James
Danvers
born 1 July 1755, married Elizabeth Andrews, who was born 23 January 1774. They
were married on 14 April, 1792 at the parish church of St Mary at Hill and St.
Andrew Hubbard in Love Lane, City of London. Issue- Elizabeth Grace Danvers,
born 8 September, 1795; Frederick Andrew Danvers, born 5 October 1796,
deceased.. Frederick Danvers, born 1 August, 1800, deceased, William Danvers,
born 18 May, 1803, Henry Danvers, born 6 November 1806, Sophia Pamela Danvers,
born 18 October 1808, Emma Sarah Danvers, born 13 August 1810. James Danvers
died 2 July 1827.
Elizabeth Grace
Danvers
married James Alfred Wigan of Abbott Bromley, Staffordshire, 6 March 1817.
Issue- Alfred Sydney Wigan, born 24, 1818, Horatio Wigan, born 19 February 1819,
Ernest Turner Wigan, born 8 February 1820, Sophia Jane Wigan, born 15 November,
1821. Ernest Turner Wigan died in U.S.A. leaving a widow and a daughter, born in
1844.
Sophia Pamela
Danvers
married Thomas Collins,
of Road, Somerset. 9 August 1826. Issue- Thomas Danvers Collins, born 1827,
deceased. James Carden Collins, born 15 February
1829. William Humphrey Collins, born 13 November
1831, deceased 24 December 1832. William Alex Collins, born 13 November
1832, died 2 December 1832. Emma Pamela Collins, born January 1833,
died 6 July 1915. Jessie Lambert Collins, born 18 January
1835. Thomas Danvers Collins born 17 October
1837. Arthur Brooks Whittaker Collins, born 6 August 1839.
Humphrey Minchen Robert
Graeme Collins, born 30
May, 1841. Sophia Elizabeth Earle Collins born 22 October
1846.
Emma Sarah Danvers married
Samuel Straight, of Wiltshire, born 20
February 1829. Issue- Emma Jane Straight, born 3 September 1834. Sophia Straight
born 2 February 1836.
Samuel Straight died 27
April 1839. Widow married Charles Knapp, 3 March 1847, died 27 April 1840. Fanny
Josephine Straight, born 18 July 1832, three months after her father’s
death.
Elizabeth Danvers married
Daniel Bamfield of St. Ives, Cornwall, on 9
September 1830. She died 18 September 1846.
Henry Danvers and Caroline
Augusta Price married 8 October 1828.
Issue- Henry Danvers, born March 1849.
James Carden Collins married Mary Helena
Glennie at
Unumgar Station 13 Aug 1852. Issue- Alfred Carden Collins born 13 June 1853,
died 17 June 1871. Frederick Glennie Collins, born 24 March 1854,
Mary Danvers Collins,
born 3 May 1856, Jessie Emma Collins, born 7 May 1858,
Charles Lester Collins,
born 7 December 1859, died 9 March 1862. Arthur Percy Collins, born 1 January
1861, died 11 August 1862; Francis George Collins, born 6 May 1863,
Alice Emily Mabel Collins, born 11 December
1864.
Mary Helena Collins died at Thornhill on
6 December 1870.
Jessie Emma Collins married William S.
Godschall Johnson on 1 January 1877. Issue-
Mary Eleanor Godschall Johnson, born 4 December 1877, (who married Ralph
Godschall Johnson in 1898 and died 12 May 1921). Issue of Emma Jessie Johnson-
Jessie Glennie Godschall Johnson, born 29 April, 1879, Edward Cholmondeley
Godschall Johnson , born 19 May 1881, Maud Alice Godschall Johnson, born 20
November 1883, Evelyn Mabel Godschall Johnson, born 9 October 1886, William
Virgil Godschall Johnson, born 24 January 1890, Eric Lesleigh Godschall Johnson,
born 26 November 1892, Carden Hamilton Godschall Johnson, born 23 June 1894, Robert Earle Godschall
Johnson, born 19 July 1896, Phyllis Muriel Godschall Johnson, born 16 September,
1901.
The mother Jessie Emma
Godschall Johnson died on 8 August 1923.
Frederick Glennie Collins married Louisa
Charlotte Hayman on 5 October 1886. Issue-
Norman Louisa Collins,
born 13 September 1882, Clavering Frederick Glennie Collins, born 2 February
1884, Gwendoline Mabel Glennie Collins, born 19 February
1886, Maud Gladys Glennie Collins, born 10 August
1888, Doris Muriel Glennie Collins, born 25 July, 1890,
died 20 November 1891; Hilda Mary Glennie Collins, born 4 November
1892, died 17 December 1892, Wanda Violet Glennie Collins, born 8 January
1894, Elma Hayman Glennie Collins, born 2 June,
1896.
Frederick Glennie Collins died 18 March, 1923.
His wife, Norma Louisa Charlotte Collins died 1 February
1927.
Mary Danvers Collins married Henry
Moreland Rickards on 5 April 1882. Issue-
Mabel Dulcie Rickards born 2 November 1882, Neville Bute Francis Rickards, born
28 October 1885, Hubert Morelands Rickards, born 1887, Treherne Carden Rickards,
born 25 December 1889 died 29 August 1891, Eric Clive Rickards, born 1 October
1891, died 17 November 1891, Robert Fitzroy Bute Rickards
born 11 June 1893, Geoffrey Glennie Rickards born 1895.
Sophie Elizabeth Earle Collins married William
Nott 1871.
Issue- Helena Brenda Nott born 11 November 1875, Alfred John Nott, born 21
February 1877, Elizabeth Kaye Nott, born 12 September 1878, Emma Susan Nott,
born 28 February 1880, Jessie Mabel Nott, born 4 August 1881, William Inglis
Nott, born 28 November 1882, Frederic Graeme Norton Nott, born 21 February
1890.
Alice Emily Mabel Collins married Edward Kay
Tidswell on
7 August 1884. Issue- Lilla Glennie Tidswell, born 24 May 1885, and who married
Reginald Layton who was killed in action in France on 12 October 1917. Henry
Douglas Tidswell, born 13 September 1886, Edward Charles Tidswell, born 28
November 1887 and who married Mona O’Sullivan; Colin Norton Tidswell, born May
1898.
Edward Kay Tidswell died on
the 17th October 1923.
Francis George Tidswell
married Wilhelmina Murray on 3 March 1886. Issue- Enid Francis Collins, born 23 April 1887,
(who married Duncan Hutchinson), George Carden Collins, born 10 March 1889,
died 12 April 1889. Charles Francis Collins, born 6 May 1890,
killed in action in France 10 June 1918. Gertrude Susan Collins, born 18 September
1893, (who married Leslie Barrett).
Andrew Inglish, eldest son of William Inglish, was born 3 November 1667, and married Elspeth Dryburgh in 1717. Issue- James Inglis and John Inglis. The latter married Grizel Geddie. The name changed in this generation. Their daughter Christian, married James Henderson. She was born on 20 August, 1751, and her brother, later a Doctor of Medicine, was born on 9 March 1754, and died on 7 May 1835. Children born to James and Christian Henderson were- John Henderson born 19 August 1783; James Henderson born 10 September 1786, and who died on 18 May 1866; Grizel Henderson, born 11 May 1790; Andrew Henderson born 2 April 1796.
The second son, James Henderson, married Sophie Young, who was born on 5 April 1787 and died on 15 May 1844. Issue James Henderson born 18 February 1820, Andrew Inglis Henderson, born 17 May 1822, who died on 15 June 1908, and Sophia Henderson, who died in 1872.
Andrew Inglis Henderson, the founder of Jimboomba Station, married Emma Pamela Collins, who died 6 July 1915. Issue- James Henderson born 1858, died 1956. James Henderson married Susan Nosworthy who died leaving issue Francis Robert Inglis Henderson born on 9 November 1888 and died 1 April 1956, and Lindsay James Henderson who was born on 14 October 1889 and died on 2 October 1919. James Henderson married Annie Force Westaway on 15 April 1898. Issue- Collin Force Henderson born 21 February 1899, Edwin Harold Merlin Henderson and James Felix Henderson. Colin Henderson married Laura Elizabeth Minne Walker in 1925. Issue- Malcolm James Henderson born 1927, Elizabeth Ann Henderson born 1931 and Duncan Lindsay Henderson. Elizabeth Ann Henderson was the first daughter born into the family for 141 years. Children of Malcolm Henderson who married Aileen Romanis Tulloch in 1955 are Douglas James Henderson born June 1956, and Andrew Inglis born November 1960. Children of Duncan Lindsay Henderson who married Verice Mary Wendt in 1955 are Karen Mary Henderson, born January 1958, Ian Colin Henderson, born January 1957, and Donna Elizabeth Henderson, born July 1959.
Dear Sir,
I found on the
Internet a Collins Family
History at
www.queenslandhistory.com/collins.htm, accessed
10th May 2004, from which I
have chopped the following extract -
In the
same neighbourhood was Unumgar station, owned by James Glennie, a
name of
some importance in this family narrative.
Unfortunately, it has been found
difficult to trace the life of his
ancestral branch as fully as desired. He
was a brother (not uncle) of the
future Archdeacon Benjamin Glennie, and an
extract from a publication by
Professor Eikin [sic] of Sydney University
named “The Diocese of Newcastle,”
on page 739 states, “Benjamin Glennie with
Alfred (brother) already
mentioned, were members of the family of the Rev.
Dr. Glennie, who conducted
a school at Dulwich Grove, Surrey.” A little later
on, the following,
“Alfred Glennie was a brother of Benjamin Glennie, who
came out with Bishop
Tyrrell; of Henry Glennie, who received a grant of
“Dulwich” near Singleton
in 1824, and of Dr. James Glennie who, in 1832
settled and practiced at
Singleton. Alfred Glennie farmed at Glenbourne,[sic]
Allyn River, about two
miles from East Grewford [sic].”
Reference has been
noted that James Glennie arrived on the same ship as Captain William Ogilvie,
his young wife Mary White, and her sister, Susan White, in 1838, and the two
were married in Sydney. It is assumed that the date of 1832 would be more
correct, otherwise the later marriage of their only child, Mary Helena Glennie,
to James Carden Collins,
in 1852, would make the bride a child of only 14 years. It is nearer the truth
to say that the doctor practised at Singleton, or elsewhere, and settled at the
Unumgar property when the Ogilvies moved in, in 1838.
There are a few
mistakes in this recital, as follows -
ALFRED farmed at Glenthorne, near East
Gresford.
Then there is confusion between Dr HENRY and JAMES, caused by
Professor the Rev. Elkin. James was the farmer on Dulwich, while Dr Henry was
the doctor in Singleton.
JAMES arrived on the Guildford in 1824, not 1838,
lived at Dulwich, not Singleton, and married Susan White in 1832 in Christ
Church, Hexham, not in Sydney.
MARY HELENA was born to James & Susan in
1833, so Mary Helena was 19 when she
married, not 14. James and Susan moved
to Unumgar in the late 1840’s, while Dr Henry stayed firmly in
Singleton.
Finally Mary Helena was not “their only child”– James Halliday
Glennie, born in 1836, died in childhood.
Dr HENRY was the brother who
arrived on the Royal Admiral in 1832, married Elizabeth Ferris in St James
Church in Sydney on 15/5/1833, and practiced in Singleton for the rest of
his life.
Henry's brother Alfred
married Ann Ferris, Elizabeth's sister, in 1836.
With reference to the
comment - "Unfortunately, it has been found difficult to trace the life of his
ancestral branch as fully as desired", for those game enough, I have a very
large amount of information on the Glennie family from 1650!
Regards and best
wishes
Malcolm Glennie Holmes
Wagga
Wagga
Australia
