| 6. | Thomas George WILSON was born on 30 Jun 1819 in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India (son of Roger Williamson WILSON and Eliza GIBSON); died on 15 Jan 1883 in Armidale, New England, NSW, Australia; was buried after 15 Jan 1883 in Armidale, New England, NSW, Australia. Other Events:
- Occupation: Clerk then Farmer
- Occupation: Clerk then Farmer
- Baptism: 23 Dec 1819, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
Notes:
_Thomas George Wilson_
Thomas George Wilson arrived in Sydney about the year 1840, and here he met and married Ellen; the eldest daughter of Dr. John Vaughan Thompson on the 23rd of April 1845. The ceremony took place at Christ Church St. Laurence at the intersection of George and Pitt Streets, Sydney.
They Lived at Surry Hills, where the first child was born.
He left Sydney for New England in 1846, and took possession of a property secured in 1845, called ABERBALDIE'. This had been portion of a larger station called "INGALBA' which was owned by Mr. John McIver, and his family.
A Justice of the Peace and a man who took a close interest in local civic affairs, being a member of the Hospital Board, and of the School , and Flood relief fund.
According to Dr. John Balzer, F.R.C.S. , in his supplement to the paper on John Lang Locke, which he delivered to The Royal Historical Society of Queensland on the 25th October, 1979, mention was made of the family of Thomas George Wilson, and mention was made that Thomas George was the eldest son.
{{Page 196}}
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Copied from Notes by Rev. Roger Williamson WILSON
My father, Thomas George Wilson, was the younger Son of Lieutenant Colonel Roger Williamson Wilson, who was Paymaster of the Army of North India, under the Commander-in-Chief Lord Gough, in the year 1846.
For distinguished services, both in India and China, Lieutenant Colonel Wilson received the award Companion of the Bath and the First Sikh War and Nankin medals. He took part in three decisive battles in the country of the Punjuab, and was wounded in the battle of Chillian Wallah, and was sent to England, but never recovered from his wounds, and died at Brighton in the year 1857.
Thomas George Wilson arrived in Sydney about the year 1840, and here he met and married, the eldest daughter of Dr. J. V. Thompson in 1845.
Dr. J. V. Thompson was in practice in the City of Cork, Ireland, when he was appointed by the British Government as Deputy Inspector of Hospitals in Australia, Tasmania and Norfolk Island, during the convict era. The names of the Convict Settlements which he had to visit were Botany Bay, Coal Harbour, or as it was named afterwards "Newcastle" ,Port Macquarie, Brisbane, Norfolk Island and Port Arthur in Tasmania.
During the year 1846, my Father and Mother with their first child named George John, and a nurse named "Christy", or who was my mother's help for 36 years, left Sydney and travelled up to the New England District, and took possession of a property which my father had secured in 1845, named "ABERBALDIE". This property had been portion of a larger Station called "INGALBA", which was owned by Mr. John MacIver and his family. My father had visited this station "INGALBA" in 1845 having heard that MacIver was offering the part of his property which was lower down the river for sale. And that is how my father became the owner of ABERBALDIE".
My father took in as a partner a Mr. Vincent Dowling who was the son of Sir James Dowling, the Chief Justice of NSW.
Mr Vincent Dowling remained at "ABERBALDIE" until about the year 1855, when he heard of some very good country on a river which was afterwards called " Bulloo River " , in what is now a part of Southern Queensland. So he decided to go and examine the country and the result was, that he sold out his share of "ABERBALDIE" to my father and took some cattle and horses out to a place which is now called "Thargomindah".
{{Page 197}}
After Mr. Dowling departed my father got into difficulties, and as his a health was failing he decided to sell the Station to two gentlemen named Captain Dumaresq and Mr. Arthur MacKenzie, for the sum of 11,000 pounds, and we all left to go to PORT MACQUARIE.
The old road from WALCHA to Port Macquarie was in fair condition for bullock drays. Two good bullock drivers named John Doyle and Dennis Kilmurray, who had before been hired by my father to take his Wool and other produce to Port Macquarie, were hired to take all our household goods down. We ourselves, travelled by buggies and on horseback, and as we had to keep In touch with the bullock drays, we were obliged to travel slowly, as the bullocks could only go about 10 or 12 miles a day. The distance from "ABERBALDIE",to PORT MACQUARIE was 132 miles.
When we arrived at Port Macquarie, we first went to a place called "HAMILTON", on the right bank of the "Hastings River where the MacIver family were then living.
My father went about the town and district looking for a suitable place, which would be our temporary home. He chose Major Innes's old home, called "LAKE INNES" , which was seven miles from Port Macquarie, towards the south. Major Innes's son the Venerable Archdeacon Innes, came to visit us, and to him father pad the rent. We lived at "Lake Innes" for 4 years.
My father spent a great deal of money trying to grow cotton here, but it was a failure. The Rev. Mr. Holland, a Presbyterian Minister, became his partner as he had had long experience in cotton growing in Jamaica, West Indies.
After leaving "LAKE INNES" , my father rented a property called "CLIFTON", quite close to the MacIver family and the town. This property was owned by the Rev. Cannon O'Reilly who was the son-in-law of Major Innes.
The property was first a vineyard, then a homestead complete with a wine cellar.
The Wilson family lived here from 1857 until 1867 and were primarily engaged in wine growing.
A new "Clifton" homestead was built in 1911, and was one of Port Macquarie's most stately homes comprising some sixteen rooms, spacious verandahs, and all necessary conveniences.
In the years following, "Clifton" was used as a boarding house and a restaurant, and in 1971 was opened as Clifton, Rest Home, and after being progressively expanded to the fine complex known today as "Lourdes Nursing Home".
{{Page 198}}
About the year 1867 we left "CLIFTON" , and made a new home at "WILLESBRO", which was situated on the "Wilson River:". The size of the property was about 640 acres, and the previous owners were W G and G I Scott.
It is strange to note that the McIver family moved from Port Macquarie to a property about 30 miles up the river named "GLEN ESK".
Two of my sisters, Eliza Jane and Ellen Emily were married from "CLIFTON" Eliza to George Irvine Scott, and Ellen to James Baird McIver, a son of John and Mrs N McIver. Two of my brothers, George John and Thomas Davenport Wilson, married respectively, Ellen and Agnes McIver.
It is also strange that our two families were separated by seven miles in New England, seven miles in Port Macquarie, and seven miles on the "Wilson River".
George Irvine Scott died when only 32 years of age, from typhoid fever, after he had been married nine years, and left his wife Eliza and five children, Irvine, Ellen, Agnes, Charlotte and Alice.
My sister Ellen , who married James Baird McIver , died when 38 years of age at "WILLI WILLI", upper Macleay River.
My youngest sister, Cathcart Martha, married James McIntyre, eldest son of Dr. McIntyre of Port Macquarie.
It is interesting to note, that on the "WILLESBRO" property, where father made our last home, the first Sugar Mill was erected in Australia. I here quote from an extract taken from the Sydney gazette dated 1821-1825:-
"We are glad to hear also, from certain authority that the Government has, in the Sugar Plantations under the immediate superintendence of and management of Mr Thomas A.. Scott. The cane grows equal in magnitude and quality to that in our West Indies Colonies. The produce of this has more than doubly exceeded that of last year, not only in growth and extent but also in luxuriance. The plantations are established on the newly discovered plains, "Rolands Plains".
The "WILLESBRO" property mentioned, was at first a. grant to a Mr. Gorhan and the adjoining property on the West was a grant to a Mr Freeman . The two gentlemen formed a company "Freeman & Gorhan" and it was on the flats or plains that the Sugar Cane & Tobacco was grown and also on which the first Sugar Mill was erected in Australia, by Mr. Thomas A. Scott.
{{Page 199}}
This mill was worked by water power. The water was obtained by cutting a channel from the Wilson River into a lagoon much lower than the river, also raising the level of the river by means of a dam.
In about 1847 a great flood came down the river and destroyed the mill so much that a new one had to be built, and this time the power obtained was by means of a Treadmill Wheel , which was worked by horses, and Grinding Stones were obtained and Wheat and Maize were turned into Flour.
The original store grinding wheel from the "Willesbro" Mill was last sighted at the rear of a property in Owen Street, Port Macquarie
Thomas, had lived at Surry Hills, "Aberbaldie" , "Lake Innes". In 1860-1864 he was renting the "Lake Innes" property, but he decided to lease "Clifton" from Canon O'Reilley because his very old friends, the McIver's, were making wine at nearby "Hamilton".
Of course, on "Clifton" was a good house, and an established vineyard. Not only was Mr. Wilson a vigneron, but a public spirited gentleman holding many off ices of importance in Port Macquarie.
His diary of 3rd March, 1867, he stated, he bottled eighteen gallons of 1865 ready for sale - a very palatable wine - "as like claret, as one can be to another".
On 22nd February, 1867, he had packaged two cases of wine after breakfast and sent them into town with Roger - one case to George Scott with one dozen small bottles of "Clifton", and six large bottles of "Isobella" for Henry Day. The other case for Mr. Rudder - three gallons of "Clifton"
Near the end of 1867 the Wilson family moved to "Willesbro" on the Wilson River.
Also, about this time the McIver family moved from "Hamilton" vineyard to "Glen Esk", thirty miles up river.
From "Willesbro" Thomas and Ellen retired to "Beach House" in Port Macquarie.
{{Page 200}}
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Letter from Thomas George Wilson to Mrs. Parker
"Beach House"
Port Macquarie.
13th October, 1881.
Dear Mrs. Parker,
Both Mrs Wilson regret much that we have not been able to get up to "Rosewood" to bid you all goodbye - but we had so much to do -that we could not manage it , and therefore must say farewell by letter.
Believe me I do not leave Port Macquarie 'SC the district without regret.
During the 20 years of my residence here I have made many valued friendships, and in leaving them and our children and children's children, I assure you, gives me more pain than I can express, yet I must hope it will be for the best.
If we do not meet here again let us hope & pray for a meeting in that happier home where there will be no more parting, no more sorrows no more tears.
Will you kindly give the enclosed to dear Louie. It costs me as much grief to part with her as from my own children - for I have loved her from the first day I saw her.
God bless her & you & your family ever more,
Your affectionate friend T G Wilson.
T G W ˝? Died at his daughters Boarding house in Armidale.
Eliza Jane Wilson
*************************************************************
_Thomas George Wilson_
Thomas George Wilson arrived in Sydney about the year 1840, and here he met and married Ellen; the eldest daughter of Dr. John Vaughan Thompson on the 23rd of April 1845. The ceremony took place at Christ Church St. Laurence at the intersection of George and Pitt Streets, Sydney.
They Lived at Surry Hills, where the first child was born.
He left Sydney for New England in 1846, and took possession of a property secured in 1845, called ABERBALDIE'. This had been portion of a larger station called "INGALBA' which was owned by Mr. John McIver, and his family.
A Justice of the Peace and a man who took a close interest in local civic affairs, being a member of the Hospital Board, and of the School , and Flood relief fund.
According to Dr. John Balzer, F.R.C.S. , in his supplement to the paper on John Lang Locke, which he delivered to The Royal Historical Society of Queensland on the 25th October, 1979, mention was made of the family of Thomas George Wilson, and mention was made that Thomas George was the eldest son.
{{Page 196}}
*************************************************************
Copied from Notes by Rev. Roger Williamson WILSON
My father, Thomas George Wilson, was the younger Son of Lieutenant Colonel Roger Williamson Wilson, who was Paymaster of the Army of North India, under the Commander-in-Chief Lord Gough, in the year 1846.
For distinguished services, both in India and China, Lieutenant Colonel Wilson received the award Companion of the Bath and the First Sikh War and Nankin medals. He took part in three decisive battles in the country of the Punjuab, and was wounded in the battle of Chillian Wallah, and was sent to England, but never recovered from his wounds, and died at Brighton in the year 1857.
Thomas George Wilson arrived in Sydney about the year 1840, and here he met and married, the eldest daughter of Dr. J. V. Thompson in 1845.
Dr. J. V. Thompson was in practice in the City of Cork, Ireland, when he was appointed by the British Government as Deputy Inspector of Hospitals in Australia, Tasmania and Norfolk Island, during the convict era. The names of the Convict Settlements which he had to visit were Botany Bay, Coal Harbour, or as it was named afterwards "Newcastle" ,Port Macquarie, Brisbane, Norfolk Island and Port Arthur in Tasmania.
During the year 1846, my Father and Mother with their first child named George John, and a nurse named "Christy", or who was my mother's help for 36 years, left Sydney and travelled up to the New England District, and took possession of a property which my father had secured in 1845, named "ABERBALDIE". This property had been portion of a larger Station called "INGALBA", which was owned by Mr. John MacIver and his family. My father had visited this station "INGALBA" in 1845 having heard that MacIver was offering the part of his property which was lower down the river for sale. And that is how my father became the owner of ABERBALDIE".
My father took in as a partner a Mr. Vincent Dowling who was the son of Sir James Dowling, the Chief Justice of NSW.
Mr Vincent Dowling remained at "ABERBALDIE" until about the year 1855, when he heard of some very good country on a river which was afterwards called " Bulloo River " , in what is now a part of Southern Queensland. So he decided to go and examine the country and the result was, that he sold out his share of "ABERBALDIE" to my father and took some cattle and horses out to a place which is now called "Thargomindah".
{{Page 197}}
After Mr. Dowling departed my father got into difficulties, and as his a health was failing he decided to sell the Station to two gentlemen named Captain Dumaresq and Mr. Arthur MacKenzie, for the sum of 11,000 pounds, and we all left to go to PORT MACQUARIE.
The old road from WALCHA to Port Macquarie was in fair condition for bullock drays. Two good bullock drivers named John Doyle and Dennis Kilmurray, who had before been hired by my father to take his Wool and other produce to Port Macquarie, were hired to take all our household goods down. We ourselves, travelled by buggies and on horseback, and as we had to keep In touch with the bullock drays, we were obliged to travel slowly, as the bullocks could only go about 10 or 12 miles a day. The distance from "ABERBALDIE",to PORT MACQUARIE was 132 miles.
When we arrived at Port Macquarie, we first went to a place called "HAMILTON", on the right bank of the "Hastings River where the MacIver family were then living.
My father went about the town and district looking for a suitable place, which would be our temporary home. He chose Major Innes's old home, called "LAKE INNES" , which was seven miles from Port Macquarie, towards the south. Major Innes's son the Venerable Archdeacon Innes, came to visit us, and to him father pad the rent. We lived at "Lake Innes" for 4 years.
My father spent a great deal of money trying to grow cotton here, but it was a failure. The Rev. Mr. Holland, a Presbyterian Minister, became his partner as he had had long experience in cotton growing in Jamaica, West Indies.
After leaving "LAKE INNES" , my father rented a property called "CLIFTON", quite close to the MacIver family and the town. This property was owned by the Rev. Cannon O'Reilly who was the son-in-law of Major Innes.
The property was first a vineyard, then a homestead complete with a wine cellar.
The Wilson family lived here from 1857 until 1867 and were primarily engaged in wine growing.
A new "Clifton" homestead was built in 1911, and was one of Port Macquarie's most stately homes comprising some sixteen rooms, spacious verandahs, and all necessary conveniences.
In the years following, "Clifton" was used as a boarding house and a restaurant, and in 1971 was opened as Clifton, Rest Home, and after being progressively expanded to the fine complex known today as "Lourdes Nursing Home".
{{Page 198}}
About the year 1867 we left "CLIFTON" , and made a new home at "WILLESBRO", which was situated on the "Wilson River:". The size of the property was about 640 acres, and the previous owners were W G and G I Scott.
It is strange to note that the McIver family moved from Port Macquarie to a property about 30 miles up the river named "GLEN ESK".
Two of my sisters, Eliza Jane and Ellen Emily were married from "CLIFTON" Eliza to George Irvine Scott, and Ellen to James Baird McIver, a son of John and Mrs N McIver. Two of my brothers, George John and Thomas Davenport Wilson, married respectively, Ellen and Agnes McIver.
It is also strange that our two families were separated by seven miles in New England, seven miles in Port Macquarie, and seven miles on the "Wilson River".
George Irvine Scott died when only 32 years of age, from typhoid fever, after he had been married nine years, and left his wife Eliza and five children, Irvine, Ellen, Agnes, Charlotte and Alice.
My sister Ellen , who married James Baird McIver , died when 38 years of age at "WILLI WILLI", upper Macleay River.
My youngest sister, Cathcart Martha, married James McIntyre, eldest son of Dr. McIntyre of Port Macquarie.
It is interesting to note, that on the "WILLESBRO" property, where father made our last home, the first Sugar Mill was erected in Australia. I here quote from an extract taken from the Sydney gazette dated 1821-1825:-
"We are glad to hear also, from certain authority that the Government has, in the Sugar Plantations under the immediate superintendence of and management of Mr Thomas A.. Scott. The cane grows equal in magnitude and quality to that in our West Indies Colonies. The produce of this has more than doubly exceeded that of last year, not only in growth and extent but also in luxuriance. The plantations are established on the newly discovered plains, "Rolands Plains".
The "WILLESBRO" property mentioned, was at first a. grant to a Mr. Gorhan and the adjoining property on the West was a grant to a Mr Freeman . The two gentlemen formed a company "Freeman & Gorhan" and it was on the flats or plains that the Sugar Cane & Tobacco was grown and also on which the first Sugar Mill was erected in Australia, by Mr. Thomas A. Scott.
{{Page 199}}
This mill was worked by water power. The water was obtained by cutting a channel from the Wilson River into a lagoon much lower than the river, also raising the level of the river by means of a dam.
In about 1847 a great flood came down the river and destroyed the mill so much that a new one had to be built, and this time the power obtained was by means of a Treadmill Wheel , which was worked by horses, and Grinding Stones were obtained and Wheat and Maize were turned into Flour.
The original store grinding wheel from the "Willesbro" Mill was last sighted at the rear of a property in Owen Street, Port Macquarie
Thomas, had lived at Surry Hills, "Aberbaldie" , "Lake Innes". In 1860-1864 he was renting the "Lake Innes" property, but he decided to lease "Clifton" from Canon O'Reilley because his very old friends, the McIver's, were making wine at nearby "Hamilton".
Of course, on "Clifton" was a good house, and an established vineyard. Not only was Mr. Wilson a vigneron, but a public spirited gentleman holding many off ices of importance in Port Macquarie.
His diary of 3rd March, 1867, he stated, he bottled eighteen gallons of 1865 ready for sale - a very palatable wine - "as like claret, as one can be to another".
On 22nd February, 1867, he had packaged two cases of wine after breakfast and sent them into town with Roger - one case to George Scott with one dozen small bottles of "Clifton", and six large bottles of "Isobella" for Henry Day. The other case for Mr. Rudder - three gallons of "Clifton"
Near the end of 1867 the Wilson family moved to "Willesbro" on the Wilson River.
Also, about this time the McIver family moved from "Hamilton" vineyard to "Glen Esk", thirty miles up river.
From "Willesbro" Thomas and Ellen retired to "Beach House" in Port Macquarie.
{{Page 200}}
*************************************************************
Letter from Thomas George Wilson to Mrs. Parker
"Beach House"
Port Macquarie.
13th October, 1881.
Dear Mrs. Parker,
Both Mrs Wilson regret much that we have not been able to get up to "Rosewood" to bid you all goodbye - but we had so much to do -that we could not manage it , and therefore must say farewell by letter.
Believe me I do not leave Port Macquarie 'SC the district without regret.
During the 20 years of my residence here I have made many valued friendships, and in leaving them and our children and children's children, I assure you, gives me more pain than I can express, yet I must hope it will be for the best.
If we do not meet here again let us hope & pray for a meeting in that happier home where there will be no more parting, no more sorrows no more tears.
Will you kindly give the enclosed to dear Louie. It costs me as much grief to part with her as from my own children - for I have loved her from the first day I saw her.
God bless her & you & your family ever more,
Your affectionate friend T G Wilson.
T G W ·? Died at his daughters Boarding house in Armidale.
Eliza Jane Wilson
*************************************************************
Thomas married Ellen Vaughan THOMPSON on 23 Apr 1845 in Sydney, NSW, Australia. Ellen was born on 29 Jun 1819 in Cork, Cork, Ireland; died on 10 Mar 1887 in Port Macquarie, North Coast, NSW, Australia; was buried after 10 Mar 1887 in Port Macquarie, North Coast, NSW, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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1869 - 1946 (76 years)