Posts relating to post convict era history of Newcastle and Hunter Region
Back in April 2012 we received a very interesting email with regards to one of our stories on our UoNCC Blog relating to Captain Law and the rescue of six communards from New Caledonia. Mr Gary Baker, who, in the course of his family research into his Great Great Uncle Captain George Farrar Pugh, drew … More George Pugh – Wanderings over Belmont, Newcastle and New Caledonia (1873-1874)
The coloured engraving above is a view taken from the hill overlooking Darby Street in the current suburb of Cooks Hill, Newcastle. Features include: St John’s Anglican Church, (between Darby Street and Dawson Street), directly behind is a train on the Newcastle Coal Company’s Railway, (running along Bruce Street and curving towards Dawson Street), a … More Cooks Hill in 1865
The State Library of New South Wales has digitised a selection of Conrad Martens‘ drawings. Among them are drawings that document his travels though the Hunter in the years 1841 and 1852. Conrad Martens (1801-1878), artist, was born in London England. In 1832 he joined the scientific team aboard the Beagle with Charles Darwin, replacing … More Conrad Martens in Newcastle and the Hunter
Mysterious “Mr Thorn” – Unsung Saviour of Nobbys and Princes By Gionni Di Gravio In 1853 the Government hatched a plan to blow up Nobbys island in order to build a lighthouse. Lieutenant Colonel Barney and Gother T. Mann on the 4 March 1853 agreed and embraced the idea of blasting the rock. By April … More Mysterious “Mr Thorn” – Unsung Saviour of Nobbys and Princes
VICTORIA BRIDGE BETWEEN EAST AND WEST MAITLAND (From The Illustrated Sydney News 3 December 1853 page 66) This Bridge is from an English design materially improved by the Colonial Architect, E.T. Blackett, Esquire. The building was commenced about the middle of 1851, and finished at a cost of leas (sic) than £2,000. A similar bridge … More Victoria Bridge in 1853
MORPETH (The Illustrated Sydney News 16 October 1865 page 3) The town of Morpeth is situated on the Hunter River, at the highest point navigable for steamers of any size. It is, properly speaking, the port of Maitland, from whence it is distant about four miles. It is connected with Maitland, Newcastle, … More The Town of Morpeth in 1865
Raymond Terrace Hunter’s River (From the Illustrated Sydney News 10 December 1853 p75) Raymond Terrace is situated about 12 miles from Maitland. There is no doubt that it will ultimately become a very important and thriving part part of the colony. It will be on the new road to New England, by way of Port … More Raymond Terrace Hunter’s River
It was an accidental delight this morning to come across an engraving of John Rae in the Illustrated Sydney News of December 1853. John Rae captured Newcastle in two famous panoramas, one painted in 1849, and again in a photograph circa 1880. These two images capture the changing landscape of the town and are among … More John Rae and Newcastle
All 394 land sale subdivision and related plans formerly in the custody The Northumberland and Permanent Building Investment Land and Loan Society (est 1876) are now online through our Flickr site. Remeber to right mouse click, or directly click to get to the ‘original’ high res scans. Some really ancient ones there, including one for … More Subdivision Plans of the Hunter Region
A rare treasure currently held in private hands has emerged in the form of a painting entitled ‘View of Infirmary, Gaol, Nobbys, Harbour Master’s House and Nobby’. Dated to around the early 1870s, our colleague Ms Ann Hardy has identified the work as being by painter Margaret Laidler. We know of at least another version … More Margaret Laidler’s View from the 1870s