Adam Beveridge and Richard Windeyer

Tomago House - Map 1

Adam Beveridge arrived free on the Amity in 1824

Land Grant

A grant of eight hundred and fifty acres located by two orders was made by Governor Brisbane to Adam M. Beveridge on 26th August 1824 (1). The land adjoined that of William Peppercorn.

Adam Beveridge resided in Tasmania and did not occupy this land.

Early Settler Map 1

Richard Windeyer

Richard Windeyer was born on 10 August 1806 in London, the eldest child of Charles Windeyer and his wife Ann Mary, nee Rudd. He remained in England when in 1828 his parents with the rest of their family migrated to New South Wales.

The Sydney Gazette reported his marriage to Maria Camfield in 1832 -

MARRIED, On the 26th April, at Speldhurst, by the Rev. J. J. Saint, A. M. Richard Windeyer, Esq., of Delahay-street, Westminster, the eldest son of our respected Assistant Police Magistrate, to Maria, second daughter of William Camfield, Esq., of Burrswood, near Tonbridge Wells. Their son, William Charles, was born on 29 September 1834.

Richard and Maria with their son arrived in Sydney from Hobart on the Medway in November 1835. [2]

The land originally granted to Adam Beveridge was acquired by Richard Windeyer between 1836 and 1838.

Convicts assigned to Richard Windeyer included:

William Atkinson
Arrived on convict ship Guildford in 1827

James Fitzharris
Arrived on convict ship Heber in 1837

James Ford
Arrived on convict ship Mangles in 1837

James Harris
Arrived on convict ship Hive in 1834

Joseph Picard
Arrived on convict ship Waterloo in 1838

George Riddle
Arrived on convict ship Asia in 1833

William Smith
Arrived on convict ship Isabella

William Wainwright
Arrived on convict ship Marquis of Huntley in 1835

Tomago House

Tomago House. Cultural Collections UON. Click to enlarge.

Richard and Maria Windeyer built Tomago House, a sandstone villa with cellars, vineyards and servants huts.

It was described in 1847 as a substantially built stone mansion, with slated roof and spacious cellars. The out-buildings consisted of superintendent's house, brick built and shingled, containing two rooms, laundry, and kitchen; brick built store and storekeeper's residence, a stone built Gothic Cottage in the vineyard, a double weather boarded cottage, gardener's cottage and eight huts and stabling; as well as stockyards.

Raymond Terrace

In 1844 the Maitland Mercury reported - Raymond Terrace is a very prettily situated town, and one which has made rapid strides in improvement. It is finely situated as regards frontage, being at the junction of the Hunter and Williams Rivers, but the great drawback is the want of back country. This, however is likely in a year or two to be obviated, for the swamp at the back, which covers an immense tract, is in course of being drained by the spirited proprietor, R. Windeyer Esq. and I am credibly informed this will be accomplished effectually. When the undertaking is completed Raymond Terrace must go ahead'.

Death of Richard Windeyer

Richard Windeyer became ill in 1847 and while visiting relatives in Launceston to recover his health, passed away aged 41.

The estate was already in financial difficulty and was auctioned in twelve lots on Monday 28th August 1848, however Maria Windeyer continued in residence.

Oaklands

Adjoining the Tomago estate and originally owned by Richard Windeyer was Oaklands estate, described in 1854 when it was offered for sale as 3 miles from Hexham and about one mile back from the bank of the Hunter River. Abundantly watered. It had been divided into nine lots, including Lot 1 with 220 acres and the homestead and vineyard; a stone cottage of six rooms, a brick cottage of five rooms and 2 vinedressers' cottages, slated. 25 acres of the vineyard had been enclosed and was prepared for vines. [3]

Read more about Tomago and Oaklands in Andrew McDonald had a farm...Sydney Morning Herald 18 February 1950

Notes and Links

1). Richard Windeyer was a Member of the first Legislative Council 1843. Find out more at the Australian Dictionary of Biography

References

[1]. Index to map of the country bordering upon the River Hunter... by Henry Dangar (London : Joseph Cross, 1828). p12

[2]. The Sydney Herald (NSW : 1831 - 1842) Mon 30 Nov 1835 Page 2

[3]. Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1875) Fri 15 Dec 1854 Page 8 Advertising

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