Where was Stringy Bark Forest?
I think it is an area in that name that existed, in the 1840s, somewhere around Doncaster/ Templestowe, but I don’t know exactly where. The only hand-written sample of the name I have seen has each word capitalised, and it also appears capitalised in public records, so I think it may be a defined place rather than just referring to the extensive forests of stringybark trees to the east of Melbourne.My interest in finding out is that I believe that my great, great, great grandfather gravitated to Port Phillip District and settled in Stringy Bark Forest after being granted his ticket-of-leave, having served his seven years at the Camyr Allyn station in the Hunter Valley. In the process of researching him, two pieces of information started me on the path of finding where Stringy Bark Forest was.
The first indication I found was his marriage registration (below), where the witnesses were listed as residing in Stringy Bark Forest:
Charles Edwards of this parish, Bachelor and Bridget McCann of this parish, Spinster were married in this Church by Banns this 20th day of March 1842. Reg: 4529. In the presence of JP Chisholm of Stringy Bark Forest ????????
The second was a newspaper article that hinted that my antecedent may not have entirely reformed, and that he also resided in stringy bark forest (this time not capitalised).
Domestic Intelligence - Rather Extraordinary— Our readers will recollect, that a short time since, we gave a full report of the particulars connected with the robbery of Mr. Ker’s house, In Little Bourkc Street which was effected in the middle of the day. A short-time subsequent, a man named John Smith was taken into custody, and brought to the police office, changed with stealing a watch ; while under examination at the bar, Smith's wife was bustling about the Court in a state of considerable agitation. Constable Waller suspecting something wrong, enquired who and what she was, and being informed that she was a woman of very indifferent, character, he followed her to her, residence, in Little Flinders Street, and entered, on the plea of requiring a light; directly on his obtaining admission, the woman became much agitated and walked towards the fire place, at the back of which she deposited something Y» JJvr k V" I ".it whul it was, she rr>V-.-iL""rin!y Mxp.-iiu» iu'hu> foe,-;" Waller returned, and found that instead of sixpence, it was n tnosaii' gold ring, set with stones, and as the woman could give no account of the manner in which she became possessed of the trinket, Waller took her into custody. The following morning, before the business of the police office, commenced, Mr. Kcr came to the office to recognise some damaged wearing apparel, which had been found in a hollow stump in Capt. Lonsdale's paddock ; Mr. Ker recognised the property, although much mutilated. While looking at the clothes, Waller showed Mr. Ker the ring, who immediately claimed it at his property, and said that it had been taken from his house when it was broken into; the woman was consequently committed for receiving the ring, knowing it to have been stolen. This discovery of the ownership of the ring, naturally led to the conclusion that Smith himself must have been connected in some manner with the robbery, and it appears that he had been in company with two men, on the 13th instant, who work in stringy bark forest, about sixteen miles from Melbourne. Constable Waller rode out to the spot and found Joseph Brown and Charles Edwards, the men of whom he was in search; they had in their possession two pair of trowsers and two silk handkerchiefs, two pair more trowsers having been sold to a neighbouring settler ; Brown said, that he purchased them from John Smith, on the 13th instant, and produced a receipt signed by Smith. This being satisfactorily proved, Smith has been committed for both robberies.
Source: 1841 'Domestic Intelligence.', Port Phillip Gazette (Vic. : 1838 - 1845), 24 November, p. 3. , viewed 03 Jan 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article225013223
I cross-checked and discovered that the names Joseph Brown and John Smith, in the article above, also appeared on the same convict transportation manifest as Charles Edwards on the convict transport ship Sarah. This got me wondering not only where, but what, Stringy Bark Forest was. In order to find out more about it, I started cross referencing birth and marriages in Port Phillip district in the 1840s, looking for references to people that gave Stringy Bark Forest as their domicile (most often it was entered as “Stringybk” or “Stringybrk”).
I then cross referenced the parent’s names (in the case of the birth registers), and the witness names (in the case of the marriage registers) against convict databases. The results were interesting. Out of the 24 adult male residents with a match, 21 were ex-convicts. All the emboldened names below are those ex-convicts.
| Surname | First Names | Children |
|---|---|---|
| Edwards | Charles & Bridget, | Edward, Bridget & William |
| Chisholm | David Duncan & Maria, | Bromley, Mary Ann & Thomas |
| Murphy | Lawrence & Ann, | Thomas |
| Connell | Edward & Catherine, | Edward |
| Brookes | Thomas & Sarah, | John |
| Howard | William & Elizabeth | |
| Ramage | Thomas & Margaret, | James Hague, Mary Anne Hague & Thomas Hague |
| Jelleff | Charles & Mary, | John |
| Smith | Joseph & Mary | |
| Blackburn | Richard & Ellen, | Joseph |
| Nelson | John & Mary Anne | |
| Wilson | Walter & Anne | |
| Gordon | Charles & Anne, | Henry |
| Dobson | John & Mary, | Mary |
| Pullin | Ambrose & Sarah, | Richmond Wall |
| Hicks | Thomas & Eliza, | Lucy and John |
| Timms | George & Martha, | Sarah Jane, Susan & Ann |
| Blake | Shadrack & Mary, | Eliza |
| Howard | William & Isabella, | Susannah & Charles Alexander |
| Usher | Thomas & Margaret | |
| Groves | Thomas | |
| Johnson | Thomas | |
| Connell | John & Catherine | |
| Kettle | Elias | |
| Nower | Eliza | |
| Brown | Joseph | |
| Smith | John | |
| Vockins | John & Margaret |
But where is Stringy Bark Forest?
But where is Stringy Bark Forest? There are several clues. Two of the families that mention their address as Stringy Bark Forest in the Port Phillip Births register, later turned up as owners of farms in the Unwin Special Survey (The Pullin, or Pullen, and the Hicks families [neither family contained ex-convicts]). Their farms are at the eastern boundary of the survey area. That boundary became Church Road, Templestowe. There is also a reference (1852) to a track that passes “through the stringy bark forest” just past the Doncaster Arms Hotel. This is today the Doncaster Hotel located on the corner of Doncaster Road and Victoria Street. That makes the referred track todays Doncaster Road.In 1854 John Robert Wilson, from Doncaster in Yorkshire, England, built the Doncaster Arms Inn on the track through the stringy bark forest to the Warrandyte gold diggings. The track was later named Doncaster Road. An alternative derivation may be from William Burnley, a Richmond land developer, who sold land in Doncaster in the 1850s. He also was from Doncaster, England. Early settlers earned income from timber and fire wood.
Source: https://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/doncaster-3108
The distance that Constable Waller rode (16miles, or 26 kms), could place him near where the Doncaster Hotel is today if he crossed the Yarra River at Punt Road and tracked up through Kew then along Doncaster Road. Alternatively, if he tracked closer to the Yarra River, it could be somewhere along Ruffey’s Creek or Mullum Creek. The reference to “waterholes” in the news article regarding the drowning of 21 month old John Smith supports Stringy Bark Creek having proximity to a creek that reduces to waterholes in drier weather – so Ruffey’s Creek is in contention. Its distance from Melbourne aligns slightly better as well.
The Chisholm’s
Adding to the information above, there is also a reference in the family research carried out by descendants of the Chisholm family. David Duncan Chisholm and Maria (nee Sloss) Chisholm appear as witnesses to Charles Edwards and Bridget McCann’s marriage. They list their domicile as Stringy Bark Forest. I think the scratched-out part of Maria’s signature is her maiden name “Sloss”.The Chisholm’s were also married in St James church, around two years earlier than Charles and Bridget:
CHISHOLM, David Duncan. Marraige to SLOSS, Maria. Year 1840 Reg: 4204/1840
SLOSS, Maria. Marraige to CHISHOLM, David Duncan. Year 1840 Reg: 4204/1840 Source:
Like Charles Edwards, David Duncan Chisolm was also a pardoned convict. A biography of David and Maria Chisolm (the witnesses) can be found here:
David Duncan Chisholm was born about 1809 in (Stirling?), Edinburgh, Scotland. He was convicted of “Assault with Intent to Rob” at the Edinburgh Court of Judiciary, on the 15th March 1827 and was sentenced to transportation to Van Dieman’s Land on the 12th April 1827, his address was recorded at Prison Hulk Ship 'Justicia', Woolwich, London, England. He arrived in Van Dieman's Land on the Bengal Merchant on the 10th August 1828 after a 138-day journey. He received a free Certificate on the 15th March 1834, and a letter from his mother in September 1835. In terms of getting from Van Dieman’s Land to Melbourne, he might have been the 'Mr Chisholm' in the passenger list for the Parkfield, which arrived in Melbourne 12 November 1839.Source: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Chisholm-1222
He married Maria Sloss on 3 January 1840, by Licence, at St James Cathedral, Melbourne.
David Duncan CHISHOLM of this parish, bachelor
Maria SLOSS of this parish, spinster (her "X" mark)
Witnesses: George MILLS of Melbourne (his "X" mark)
Rosanna USHER of Melbourne (her "X" mark)
Married by: Rev. J. Couch GRYLLS, Chaplain
Source: https://www.portphillipdistrict.info/Anglican%20Marriages%201840.htm
Their first child, Alexander, was born in Melbourne in 1841. In the 1840s David and Maria lived in the Unwin's Special Survey area in the section known as Stringy Bark Forest, eastern edges near Church Road Templestowe and Doncaster. David and Maria's second and third children, Mary Ann and Thomas, were born there in 1845 and 1847, respectively. Their fourth child, Samuel, was born in Richmond in 1852.
David appeared in court in 1841, charged with drunkenness and was fined ten shillings:
David Duncan Chisholm, a very ostensible and hostile looking personage if whiskers are a criterion, together with the accompaniments of moustache and tip, threw himself gracefully into the dock, and wished to know to what good fortune he might attribute the honour of the present introduction. A constable in the distinctest (sic) manner possible said that he picked him up drunk. David Duncan Chisholm gave a look of inexpressible mortification at the informant, taunted him with being a low fellow who malted and sported worsted stockings, which was taken with much good humour by the complainant, and urged upon their worships the impropriety and inconsistency of construing a little gentlemanly. indulgence into intoxication. Unfortunately for David Duncan, the Bench could not remember such an aphorism in their logical studies, and consequently doomed him to pay ten shillings.Source: 1841 'Police Intelligence.', Port Phillip Gazette (Vic. : 1838 - 1845), 21 August, p. 3. , viewed 03 Jan 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article225011377
David Duncan Chisholm died in Tarrengower (near Maldon), Victoria on 7 Feb 1862.
Maria Chisholm formerly Sloss
Maria Sloss was born 1826 in Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland.In 1839 the ‘David Clark’ was chartered to bring bounty immigrants (assisted passengers) from Scotland to Melbourne. Maria left Greenock on the ‘David Clark’ on 13 June 1839 with her sister Anne. They arrived in Melbourne in October 1839. They accompanied the McFadden family, who they were related to - James McFadden (45), wife Mary (40), and their adult children Robert, Jane, Thomas and William. It is noteworthy that this voyage of the ‘David Clark’ was the first bounty ship to sail directly from England to Port Philip. I believe Maria could both read and write. On arrival in Port Philip, Maria Sloss was employed by Dr John Patterson.Source: https://www.oocities.org/vic1847/ship/david39.html?202429?20253
Source: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Sloss-45
John Patterson MD
John Patterson MD (1789-1853), was born in County Tyrone, Nth Ireland, and sailed as assistant surgeon on the frigate Blanche in 1810. He was a surgeon in the Royal Navy in 1816 and surgeon on the emigrant ship John Barry. He sailed, with his family, as surgeon superintendent on the emigrant ship Argyle, arriving in December 1838. Patterson first registered in NSW in 1839 and arrived in Port Phillip in the same year, becoming the first immigration officer in 1841. He lived in Swanston Street and worked in private practice.
Source: ???
Descendants of Maria Chisholm
- Alexander Duncan Chisholm born in Melbourne 1841,
- Mary Ann (Chisholm) Bocksette, born in Stringy Bark Forest 1845,
- Thomas Chisholm, born in Stringy Bark Forest 1847 and
- Samuel Chisholm, born in Richmond 1852
- Maria died 20 Jan 1865 at about age 39 in Maldon, Victoria, Australia
Unwins Special Survey (also known as the Carlton Estate)
Note that two of the names appearing in the list of Stringy Bark Forest residents are the Pullen (Pullin) and Hicks families. It is possible that they had both taken up landholdings within the subdivision of the Unwin Special Survey area (far right hand side against the Church Road boundary and just above the track to Doncaster Inn, which is now Doncaster Road. The border between the two properties is approximately where Ruffey Lake Park is today). Interestingly, the birth registers of children in both families refer to children being born in Unwins Survey before subsequent children in Stringy Bark Forest.
Possibly the best indication is in the Short History of Doncaster by Eric Collyer that indicated the Stringy Bark Forest, as a place, is along Doncaster Road. Combine this with references to the distance from Melbourne and residents referring to residing in, alternatively, Stringy Bark Forest and Unwins.
The Pullins
More detail on the Pullins who are mentioned as taking up property around Templestowe under the Unwin Special Survey can be accessed below. Pullen’s farm is listed on the Carlton Estate map, which could be Pullin misspelt (after all Ruffey’s Creek is spelled Ruffley’s Creek on the map).Source: https://dt-hs.blogspot.com/2017/10/unwins-special-survey.html
The survey has an Eastern Boundary of what is today Church Street in Templestowe. Extracts from the St James Church, Port Phillip District, Births Register:
- 1842,12820,,Pullin,Richmond Wall,Ambrose,Sarah,The Falls, (Church of England) (St James Melbourne)
- 1845,14041,,Hinton,Frederick,James Pullin,Carter Eliza,Bristol,(Church of England) (St James
- 1845,14342,,Pullin,Alice Wall,Ambrose,Sarah,Unwins Sur,(Church of England)parish(St James Melbourne)
- 1847,15541,,Pullin,Richmond Wall,Ambrose,Sarah,Stringybrk,(Church of England) (St James Melbourne)
- 1849,25256,M,Pullin,George,Ambrose,Sarah,Bulleen,(Church of England)(Keelbundoora (now Heidelberg))
The Hicks
- 1846,15061,,Hicks,Thomas James,Thomas,Eliza,Unwins Sur,(Church of England)(St James Melbourne)
- 1847,15620,,Hicks,Lucy,Thomas,Eliza,Stringybk,denom(Church of England)parish(St James Melbourne)
- 1849,16121,,Hicks,John,Thomas,Eliza,Stringybk,denom(Church of England)parish(St James Melbourne)
Other articles referencing Stringy Bark Forest
Another inquest was held this evening at the Commercial Inn, Collins street, on the body of a child 21 months old, named John Smith, who was found drowned in a water hole in Stringy Bark Forest, about 16 miles from Melbourne. It appeared by the evidence, that the child unknown to its parents, crawled from the hut which is only a few yards from the hole, and when found life was extinct. The jury returned a verdict of " accidentally drowned:"Source: 1842 'Local Intelligence.', Port Phillip Patriot and Melbourne Advertiser (Vic. : 1839 - 1845), 22 August, p. 2. , viewed 03 Jan 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226510636
New Punt – Messrs Laing and Co are building a fine punt, intended to ply, near Mr. Palmes, upon the Yarra ; So that drays and cattle from the eastward may come through Richmond to Melbourne, instead of going round by the present punt at Melbourne, a distance of six or seven miles. This will be a great advantage to the sawyers and splitters in the stringy bark forest, whence Melbourne is chiefly supplied with timber.
Source: 1842 'DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.', Port Phillip Gazette (Vic. : 1838 - 1845), 3 December, p. 2. , viewed 03 Jan 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article225011267
Denis O'Shaughnessy appeared to answer a complaint Mr. James Davey of Gardiners Creek for brutally abusing his horse ; from the statement of the complainant it appeared that some days since he missed a horse from his run, which he afterwards found on a station near the Stringy Bark Forest, but in a dreadful state from maltreatment, one of the hoofs being entirely off, and the others severely, injured. From information that had reached him he had learned that the defendant had been seen riding the horse, and the fact was proved: by several witnesses. In his defence O'Shaughnessy admitted having ridden the horse, but he said only for two miles, and he denied that the animal had sustained any injury. The Bench, considering the case to be an aggravated one, sentenced the defendant to pay a fine of £2 10s., with £2 10s. costs, and in default of payment, to be imprisoned for two calendar months.
Source: 1846 'Domestic Intelligence.', The Melbourne Courier (Vic. : 1845 - 1846), 25 February, p. 2. , viewed 03 Jan 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226363022
BUSH FIRE. — Last Saturday week, two industrious hard working sawyers came into town upon some business, and on returning to their humble home in the Stringy Bark Forest, were horrified to find the bush had been on fire, and that it had communicated to their hut, which, with all their bedding, clothes, provisions, tools, &c, with the exception of a solitary saw, were smoking ashes, As Jonathan says, " their feelings may be more easily imagined than described" We have ourselves been witness to the dreadful effects of a bush fire, and recollect well a case in which the fire burnt everything that would burn, and what rendered the case more dreadful, was the fact of its happening in a part of the interior, hundreds of miles from any place where a supply could be got. We would impress upon the minds of our bush friends the necessity of having in the dry season, a strip of ground burnt all round their premises, so that when the bush does take fire, it will be impossible for it to overleap that barrier.
Source: 1847 'DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE.', Port Phillip Gazette and Settler's Journal (Vic. : 1845 - 1850), 10 March, p. 2. , viewed 03 Jan 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223153812
Article reproduced with permission from researcher: Lindsay Frost, Jan2025
Data relating to Stringy Park Residents compiled by Lindsay Frost Jan2025
No comments:
Post a Comment