Source:
Register Book of Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle. Marriages p72
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John Cuckney. From Ash Island. Witness at the marriage of Samuel Higginson and Harriett Atkinson
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James McMulkin Offering reward for return of a black boat with rudder, paddles and sail. Lost from Newcastle 16 August
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Thomas Holms (Holmes) Resided at Ash Island. Drowned after diving from a boat at Throsby's Creek. Left ailing wife and 3 children
Source:
Bailliere's Official Postal Directory 1867 p142
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Denis Cunningham, labourer, resident at Ash Island
Source:
Bailliere's Official Postal Directory 1867 p152
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George Gilson, farmer at Ash Island
Source:
Bailliere's Official Postal Directory 1867 p142
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John Green, farmer at Ash Island
Source:
Bailliere's Official Postal Directory 1867 p142
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William Grice, Farmer at Ash Island
Source:
Bailliere's Official Postal Directory 1867 p142
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Francis Huges farmer at Ash Island
Source:
Bailliere's Official Postal Directory 1867 p142
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Joseph and William Justine, farmers at Ash Island
Source:
Bailliere's Official Postal Directory 1867 p142
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James McLean and Malcolm McLean farmers at Ash Island
Source:
Bailliere's Official Postal Directory 1867 p142
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Thomas McMulken farmer at Ash Island
Source:
Bailliere's Official Postal Directory 1867 p143
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William Manning farmer at Ash Island
Source:
Bailliere's Official Postal Directory 1867 p143
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William Mellem farmer at Ash Island
Source:
Bailliere's Official Postal Directory 1867 p143
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Mitchell Shamback farmer at Ash Island
Source:
Bailliere's Official Postal Directory 1867 p143
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William Shelly farmer at Ash Island
Source:
Bailliere's Official Postal Directory 1867 p143
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Richard Sponey farmer at Ash Island
Source:
Bailliere's Official Postal Directory 1867 p142
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George and James Towns farmers at Ash Island
Source:
Bailliere's Official Postal Directory 1867 p142
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Francis Schaik farmer at Ash Island
Source:
The Narrative of a Voyage of discovery performed in His Majesty's Vessel Lady Nelson performed by James Grant - The Monthly review
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On an island in the harbour a tree is found in great plenty, the quality of whose timber much resembles that of the ash; and from the great numbers of them growing there, has given name to the island. Of this timber I had received orders to send a quantity to Sydney, and had brought out sawyers for that purpose; but as every object could not be at once accomplished, they were employed, in the mean time, in cutting down and sawing into planks, a tree, the bark of which is much like cork. The timber of this tree is light, close and durable, and promises to stand against the effects of worms on the bottoms of vessels. I had a boat built of this wood, which proved it to be good for such uses. This wood has much the resemblance of what is called wainscot with us. Mr. Barreillier's survey was all this time going on. Nearly abreast of the vessel was a Creek, which Colonel Paterson and I penetrated for a considerable way up. On its banks we found part of a net, made of strong grass, apparently the work of an European. We likewise found marks of fires having been lighted there; and in the stream the remains of a weir, the work of the native inhabitants, this being one of their principal devices for taking fish. We concluded the net had belonged to the unfortunate men who ran away with the Norfolk sloop, as mentioned before, it therefore became necessary to caution our out-parties against a surprize either from them or the New Hollanders. On examining Ash Island, we found many large timber trees trees intermixed with the ash, one of which I took on board as a specimen, which has much the likeness of hickery, and may be applicable to many of the purposes that wood is used for. I found several other woods, some of them light and pretty; and, in particular, a tree, the leaves of which sting like nettles: this acquired from us the name of the Nettle Tree. The native Dick now made his appearance with two of his companions, after an absence of eight and forty hours. One of these had been at Sydney, and was known to Colonel Paterson, by which means a kind of conversation was kept up. The fires of the natives and many individuals of them were to be seen on the side of the harbour opposite to Ash Island. We went up an arm of the river, in order to reach the place where they were; but after crossing the harbour, were disappointed in the design. We found the harbour here full of flats and shoals, over many of which we were under the necessity of draging the boat by main strength. Here we found trees incrusted with oysters, and the shore covered to a great depth with oyster-shells, from which lime might be made on the spot, should it at any time be required for the purposes of building. We daily hauled the seine, and often took mullets of a very large size. Our several works went vigorously on, and now it was that a party was sent to work on Ash Island in felling and sawing that timber. These took with them a week's provision, with arms and ammunition. Their orders were to be on the watch against any surprize, either from the Norfolk crew or the natives; and in their intercourse with the latter to conduct themselves with prudence and moderation, and by no means to provoke an attack from them
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Many persons, doubtless, pass up and down the Hunter in the steamers without noticing this is land, which lies just below Hexham, and is about 6 miles in length, 1½ to 2 in breadth, having large, almost equal, branches of the river running on both sides. Seven years ago, there was scarcely a sign of man's dominion over the island : which was so in- fested by snakes, that when its present occupant first took up their abode there, they could not go about for a day without seeing half a dozen of these venomous reptiles. Though the race of serpents is not yet exterminated, their number is so much reduced, that one may go about the island for 2 or 3 months before he meets ONE. There are now 13 families settled on Ash Island, who have sought somewhat less than half of its surface under cultivation. The maize crops still green, afford a most pleasant change to the eye of the traveller, who has toiled along the sandy scrub from Newcastle, and promise substantial returns for the labour of farmers. The cabbage trees, rising to the height of 40 feet, are striking objects here; and as they appear neither by wide shadows nor spreading roots to interfere much with the growth of the crops around them, it is to be hoped they will not be all cleared off. It seems to a stranger a serious drawback from the comfort of the settlers that there is no fresh water on the island. They have all to procure what they need of this necessary from Tomago, on the main land opposite. Habit, however, makes them think but little of the regular journey with sledges and boats to and from the springs; and the good neighbourly feeling which pervades the little community lightens all such difficulties by mutual help. They have lately ob tained the services of the Rev. W. Chaucer, New castle, who preaches there every fortnight, and, of course, the habit of uniting in worship and the promotion of the highest welfare of the several families, forms the firmest possible cement of social cordiality. Altogether this island is a miniature colony of a very interesting kind.
