Ravensworth Homestead Complex and Setting - Under Consideration

Item details

Name of item: Ravensworth Homestead Complex and Setting - Under Consideration
Other name/s: Ravensworth Homestead group, Ravensworth Estate, Ravensworth cultural landscape, Ravensworth Homestead Complex and Setting
Type of item: Complex / Group
Group/Collection: Landscape - Cultural
Category: Historic Landscape
Hectares (approx): 450
Property description
Lot/Volume CodeLot/Volume NumberSection NumberPlan/Folio CodePlan/Folio Number
LOT1  1089438
LOT2  1089438
PART LOT3  232149
LOT4  232149
PART LOT2  534889
PART LOT32  545601
LOT228  752470

Boundary:

The eastern, northern and southern boundary is formed by Lot 228/DP752470. The western boundary is 50m west of Bowman's creek, excluding the Great Northern Railway easement. *The curtilage comprises most of the core estate lands which demonstrate the early 19th century phase. The core estate lands were identified in the Lucas Stapleton Johnson heritage analysis completed in 2019, defined by the allotment containing the Ravensworth Homestead Complex together with the land to the west between Yorks Creek and Bowmans Creek. *A buffer of 50m west of Bowman's Creek is included with the intention of capturing the Aboriginal cultural heritage values of the creek as demonstrated by documentary, ethnographic and archaeological evidence

Statement of significance:

Ravensworth Homestead Complex and Setting is of State heritage significance for its historical, associative, aesthetic, rarity and representative values as well as its high research potential. Due to the modest history of development across the cultural landscape since its establishment as a pastoral estate in 1824, Ravensworth Homestead Complex and Setting provides rare evidence of the first phase of settlement in the Hunter Valley, and the way that this impacted the lives of the Aboriginal traditional owners, settlers, overseers and convicts. The place retains tangible evidence of the pre- and early colonial period including Aboriginal and European archaeological remains, significant views and landscape features together with the surviving c.1832 homestead complex set within the broader landscape. It has the potential to provide rare insights into Aboriginal history and frontier conflict, colonial building techniques, 19th century life, agricultural and horticultural practices and the working lives of convicts in a non-institutional setting.

It has aesthetic significance as a formally designed complex of farm buildings, including a good example of a colonial bungalow, with stonework, roof carpentry and landscaping of note, which has a high level of integrity. This aesthetic significance is also derived from the landscape setting formed by two watercourses, Bowmans Creek and Yorks Creek, which provide a window into how and why land was selected and developed during the early 19th century. The topography provides significant views across the site, including of the floodplains and cleared agricultural lands.

Ravensworth Homestead Complex and Setting is associated with a range of significant colonial places and people including Dr James Bowman, principal surgeon of the colony of NSW, and Mary Bowman, daughter of John and Elizabeth Macarthur.

Historic significance is also derived from the well documented multiple escalating historical episodes of violence from 1825 which involved Aboriginal people and Ravensworth's European inhabitants. It is associated in name, and in popular consciousness with the 1826 slaughter of Aboriginal people known as the Ravensworth Massacre.
Date significance updated: 17 Mar 23
Note: The State Heritage Inventory provides information about heritage items listed by local and State government agencies. The State Heritage Inventory is continually being updated by local and State agencies as new information becomes available. Read the Department of Premier and Cabinet copyright and disclaimer.

Description

Physical description: This description has been summarised from:
Heritage Analysis and Statement of Significance - Ravensworth Estate (Lucas Stapleton Johnson 2019), Ravensworth Homestead Complex: Historical Archaeological Test Excavation Report and Impact Statement for the Core Estate Lands (Casey & Lowe, 2019), Glendell Continued Operations Project: Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report (ACHM, 2019), Comparative Heritage Study of 19th Century Hunter Region Homestead Complexes (Clive Lucas Stapleton & Partners, 2013).

The cultural landscape is characterised by two generally north-south trending drainage lines - Bowmans Creek (formerly known as Foy Brook and a tributary of the Hunter River) in the west and Yorks Creek (a tributary of Bowmans Creek) centrally. Adjacent to each of these creeks are similarly north-south trending ridges that generally ascend to the north towards the much higher country linked to the Mount Royal ranges.

The earliest Ravensworth building development (archaeological site) occurred at the western end of these two ridge systems between Bowmans Creek and Yorks Creek, while the present homestead complex lies over the western foothills of the ridge system east of Yorks Creek.

The current Ravensworth landscape around the homestead presents as tracts of largely open farmland with lines of riparian vegetation (mainly along Yorks Creek), a backdrop of denser woodland and clusters of more recent woodland regeneration.

The creek lines in the vicinity of the Ravensworth Homestead Complex inform an understanding of the rationale for siting the various key structures both former and extant - associated with the Ravensworth estate. For the five contiguous land portions that James Bowman was permitted to use from 1824 the common riparian thread running through them was Bowmans Creek (formerly Foy Brook). Although the Hunter River (forming the southern boundary of the estate) would have been the most reliable permanent water source for the estate, Bowmans Creek and its principal tributaries (Yorks Creek and Swamp Creek) watered the majority of the central grant portions. The traditional siting of farm groups in relation to local water bodies fulfilled both functional and aesthetic purposes.

When approached from the west and southwest the traditional approach off Hebden Road - the homestead group is seen with a scenic backdrop of rising land to the east and northeast and appears nestled into its contextual landscape.
From the various ridges between Bowmans Creek and the eastern edges of the Ravensworth property, it is possible to appreciate views back to the homestead group. The same views also allow an appreciation of the various contextual landscape features associated with the homestead group and their longstanding proximity to one another. Such features include the line of Hebden Road and the vegetated course of Yorks Creek through the local area as well as distinctive topographic landmarks beyond the immediate estate area.

In addition to the open grazing lands there are also numerous associated cultural landscape elements in particular in the area between Yorks Creek and Bowmans Creek that provide further insight into the extent of the early development of the Ravensworth Estate. These landscape elements comprise small, shallow dams; remnant plantings; possible cultivation areas; and numerous opportunistic escapees of introduced species along the enclosing creek lines. Additionally, several old indigenous tree species (ironbark, kurrajong and cypress pine) along Yorks Creek and a line of large Forest Red Gums closer to Bowmans Creek, indicate that these trees were deliberately retained, perhaps as a source of shade for stock, where most others were likely removed by the latter half of the 19th century.

Important views to the homestead group include those from the ridge to the west (where the first Ravensworth homestead was probably sited); from Hebden Road on approach to the homestead; from the ridge behind the homestead group to the northeast; and from the existing dams and (presumed) former cultivation site along the tributary of Yorks Creek to the west. These are regarded as key views because of the historical importance of these places and their connection with the homestead from the earlier part of the 19th century. In many of these views, the vegetated, sinuous course of Yorks Creek is not only a dominant attribute of the local landscape, it also defines discrete landscape spaces.
Views to the homestead group from the western ridge (between Bowmans Creek and Hebden Road) reveal the open, grassland character of the local landscape and enable an excellent appreciation of the compactness and discreteness of the homestead group within its landscape context. Some distant landmarks are still visible such as the forested peak to the northeast within Mount Royal National Park, Mount Dyrring to the east and more local hills either side of Hebden.
Other important views relating to the Ravensworth homestead include those to the House Dam to the immediate south of the homestead complex and those to the west to the dams and (presumed) former cultivation area along the tributary to Yorks Creek. Reciprocal views from the latter site back to the homestead would have been notable when the inner estate flourished in its earlier decades.

While the dominant form of agriculture at Ravensworth, at least through the 20th century if not into the 19th century, appears to have been broad-acre grazing (cattle and sheep), there is evidence to suggest that there were also earlier phases of crop cultivation, intensive vegetable gardening and orcharding. Most of these latter forms of agriculture were restricted to the flood-liable flats and riparian terraces along Bowmans and Yorks Creeks, though an orchard (probably from the early 20th century) is known from Lidar analysis to have been planted to the south of the homestead grounds.
To the west of the homestead group, and along the eastern side of Yorks Creek, a series of early dams provided the basis of sustaining areas of cultivation where, in some places, the closely spaced parallel furrows are still clearly visible across the surface. The cultivation lines are shown to have been fenced as there remains evidence of earlier fence alignments that are, in places, further reinforced by lines of sandstone and low mounding.

To the immediate west of the upper dam to the east of Yorks Creek is a brick lined well and a copse of Black Locust trees. This area is also one of two possible locations for the site of the former 8-acre garden known from the Bowman period of ownership. Another potential location for this early 8 acre garden is on the western side of Yorks Creek where there still remain enclosing lines of planted Black Locust trees (though most of these are now senescent). The old trees form an L shape (and potential wind break) enclosing an area of riparian terrace that would have provided rich alluvial soil for a field of cultivation. Other similar riparian terraces along Bowmans Creek to the southwest may have done likewise.

Located across the the landscape are other individual sites of interest that relate to the Bowman era (early 19th century), the Mackay era (late 19th century) and the Measures/Reid era (early 20th century) when the estate lands were subdivided into smaller farming allotments. These include the former woolshed site (evidence remains in the form of scattered stone, the base of chimneys and a concrete sheep dip), water tank and stone trigonometrical marker north of the homestead, underground silo to the north east, archaeological remains of early 20th century farms and associated infrastructure.

The group of buildings that forms the homestead complex consists of five stone buildings dating from c1830 and one timber building dating from c1900 organised around a farmyard square. All the buildings are single storey and have hipped or gabled pitched roof forms. Most roofs are sheeted in corrugated, galvanised steel with the main house roofed in Welsh slate. Notably, the composition of the square is quite formal. There is archaeological evidence of a northern wing closing the north side of the farm yard and it is possible also there was a west wing to the house forming the south-west corner of the farm yard (not confirmed).

The Main Wing of the house is located along the south side of the farm yard facing out to the south. The Kitchen Wing of the house is located at the south-east corner facing inwards across a narrow verandah. The Barn building occupies the north-east corner of the farm yard and has a recent steel post and corrugated metal machinery lean-to structure constructed on its east side.

The Stable building occupies the north-west corner of the farm yard. An early 20th century bush pole and corrugated metal shed is constructed on its north end and, at its south end, there is a large stone-built water tank built c1928. On the eastern side of the central service compound is located an early 20th century weatherboard Men's Quarters building (later converted to a single residence).

A stone privy containing a four-seat bench is located outside of the formal square to the southeast.
It is possible that the farm yard was enclosed by a stone wall or timber paling fence that has been replaced over the years by the present timber and wire agricultural fences.
The back of the house is divided from the rest of the farm yard by a low, partly demolished fence. At its western end, is now located a large, recent water tank. Across the north end of the farm yard is constructed cattle yards, sheltered by a row of peppercorn trees and including a cattle/sheep loading ramp, all of relatively recent construction.

To the south of the house there is a remnant early 20th century garden including the formation of a tennis court and this is partly enclosed by low walls constructed of recycled stone. This formality is emphasized and confirmed as a conscious design by the existence of quoins on all of the external angles of the buildings and that the northern sides of the Barn and Stable out buildings line up in a north-south direction.

Another notable feature is that the west side of the house and the west side of the Barn contain blank window recesses consciously designed to enhance the appearance of the buildings as they were approached from the west.
Apart from the Men's Quarters, all the buildings have very thick walls built in two skins of stone with rubble core, usually 400-600mm thick with very fine workmanship exhibited on the external walls, particularly the front of the House and the Stable. At each corner of the house and each external wall of all buildings, the stonemasons have originally provided very fine, dressed, projecting chamfered quoin stones in 12 courses. The quality of the face work generally diminishes towards the rear of each building. Usually 300mm courses, it breaks into 150mm courses on less important sides.
The Kitchen Wing and the Barn and Stable buildings have well-constructed hardwood framed bellcast eaves, probably originally intended for lath and plaster linings. The House and Kitchen wings have timber framed roofs utilising regularly spaced, larger, king rafters (strengthened by collar ties) that support purlins that support the common rafters.

The house
The house is in the form of a colonial bungalow where the hipped roof has a broken pitch on each side extending out over verandahs and notional box rooms. As originally constructed, the rooms were arranged in a 'H' plan this being only one room (single pile) thick at the centre section containing sitting room, dining room and entrance hall. On the west side, two rooms form the western ear of the 'H' and on the eastern side, three rooms form the eastern ear of the 'H'.
Of note, on the north and south sides, there were originally deep recessed verandahs formed under the main hipped roof, the southern (front) verandah still being extant. Old photos show heavy tapered verandah posts. About 1900 the rear verandah was enclosed and extended by two additional rooms and a hallway roofed by a single pitched skillion, set slightly above the original roof line and roofed in corrugated, galvanised steel.
The interior spaces almost consistently have 150mm x 25mm hardwood floor boards, tall timber moulded skirtings, plastered walls, all mostly original or simulating original, and pressed metal ceiling linings and cornices c.1920.
The floor of the front verandah and front hall are flagged in stone. The windows are generally multi-pane, double hung, box frame type with timber louvred shutters and the doors are generally solid framed and 6-panelled, mostly original. The northern addition has relocated original windows and simple 4-panel doors. The roof has 400mm wide eaves possibly originally lined in lath and plaster but now fibre cement. The front verandah has a ceiling of pressed metal and Late 19th century cast iron columns that replaced the original tapered posts. The northern addition included a shallow, timber framed verandah with roof integral to the adjacent rooms and stone flagged floor, probably reusing in flagging from the original north verandah. The roof, originally sheeted in shingles, was reroofed with the present slate c.1906. On three sides of the roof there is a non-original skillion-form roof vent roofed in slate, possibly of the same age. There are two original stone chimneys with later render finish and the northern extension has a tall face-brick chimney. At the north-west corner there is a much later rendered brick and corrugated metal bathroom addition.

The kitchen wing
The kitchen wing is L-shaped in plan with a hipped roof facing the House and a gabled roof facing north. Along the inner side is a skillion form, timber framed, colonial-form verandah which once wrapped out and joined with the north (rear) verandah of the house. The kitchen contains a large kitchen space with large fireplace and part-timber/part stone flooring. It, and the room to the south, have a tent-form ceiling. The interior surfaces are mostly painted stone walls and parged-over solid floors. The ceiling linings have been replaced from time to time and vary considerably. The remainder of the rooms are more non-descript in purpose. The south west room has been fitted out recently as a modern kitchen. The south east room has a fireplace which was converted c.1920 to a laundry copper. Another space was probably the original pantry storeroom and contains some rude shelving supported on timber brackets built into the stonework.

The stable
The stable has a rectangular, symmetrical plan form consisting of two stable spaces set either side of an arcaded recessed porch and tack room. The building has a gabled roof which steps down once with the fall of the land to the south. The Stable spaces have an open ceiling, painted stone walls and very fine, flagged, stone floors including urine drains running north-south. Each originally had one eastern door with solid frame and boarded door leaf and a pair of adjustable louvred timber framed windows. In the southern stable the door and northern window have been removed to form a rough garage door. In the northern stable the northern window has been removed to form a doorway. The northern stable has been converted in about 1940 to a shearing shed by the addition of a section of timber flooring, some sheep pens and some wool bins all out of salvaged and reused timbers including pieces from original horse stalls. The work included forming a low opening in the north wall and heavy timber framing along the east wall to support the shearing machinery drive shaft. The stone arcading on the centre recessed bay is of particularly fine workmanship. The arcade has a lath and plaster ceiling, face stonework walls and a flagged floor. The tack room has a lath and plaster ceiling, plastered walls (with some old graffiti) and a stone flag floor. On the east side is a timber framed, boarded door and 2 no. timber framed window openings which do not appear to have ever had any sashes.

The barn
The barn has a rectilinear plan form and has a gabled roof which steps down once as the land falls to the south. At the north end is a two-roomed section which has the appearance of a cottage complete with domestic-scale fireplace. This section once had a lath and plastered flat ceiling and has painted stone walls and the remains of timber floors. The windows and doors had solid timber frames and there are the remains of boarded doors and glazed, sash windows. The southern part of the Barn is one big space with open roof and face-stone walls. There is no floor. Notably, whilst there is a framed gable end, there is no south wall, not even nibs. Another notable feature is timber plates built into the east and west walls at about 1500mm high acting as grounds for several (cut-off) bearers, the use of which is not known. There are the remains of shingles beneath the corrugated metal roofing. Toward the north end one original blank recess window on the west elevation has been removed to form a doorway and another door has been removed at the north-east corner.

The privy
The privy has a small, almost square plan form and is roofed by an almost pyramidal hipped roof clad in corrugated metal with a 150mm overhang at the eaves. The interior has a lath and plaster ceiling and plastered walls (probably recent reconstructions) and a part-stone flagged/part-raised timber floor. There are two small, louvred timber windows with mostly original joinery and the entrance door is a solid timber frame with 6-panel colonial door leaf. There is original timber lined recess on the west wall and there is a timber framed, 4 no. seat, thunder box, mostly original construction against the north wall. Outside there are the remains of a stone-lined pit, probably to give access to remove the lavatory pans.

The men's quarters
The men's quarters was constructed as a rectilinear, timber framed, weatherboard-clad quarters building of two bedrooms and a central sitting room with fireplace. The structure sits on short stone piers. A narrow verandah was provided along the western side and the building roofed with a gable running north-south clad in corrugated metal. Internally the ceiling was lined in unpainted T&G boarding. Currently the internal walls are plasterboard and the flooring narrow T&G boarding. The original windows were 2-pane vertically sliding sashes and the doors 4-panel timber. The building was converted to a cottage in about 1950. This work included constructing a Bedroom and Kitchen on the east side, clad in reused and matching weatherboards with glass louvre windows and the infilling most of the western verandah again with matching and reused weatherboards and reused sashes. At that time part of the verandah became the front porch and was paved in recycled stone. On the east side there was also a timber-framed, weatherboard-clad, alcove and lavatory and a steel and corrugated metal carport-type skillion.

Landscape setting
Within the homestead group, each area of the complex exhibits a slightly different landscape character, determined by the functions and range of plantings within each space. Landscape features within each area likewise further define the character of the garden spaces.

The house garden layout is based on a symmetrical organizing system of a large central stone-lined bed at the front of the main house featuring a fig tree on the principal house axis. Beyond this bed, a raised lawn defined by additional beds, is circumscribed by a looping pathway (and possibly a former carriage drive) with the fenced peripheral boundaries reinforced by a collection of ornamental species. The entire southern elevation of the homestead features raised bedding areas (now covered in grass) retained by low sandstone walls.
Later additions to this southern area include a small tennis (or possibly croquet) lawn to the south eastern side and a small sunken garden to the southwestern corner. A broken sandstone structure is located near the small tennis lawn and is presumed to be a former trig marker from the nearby Ravensworth Trigonometrical Station. Small stone structures - possibly a pet grave and water trough are located at the southwestern corner of the homestead. A stone seat is located in the sunken garden. A cart-wheel gated entry point at the western boundary - and southwest of the homestead - may suggest an earlier carriage entry to the homestead (especially where this is linked to a possible carriage loop around the fig tree). The division between the eastern paddock (which holds the privy) and the southern homestead garden is defined by a row of African olives, which also defines the eastern edge of the tennis court area. Both western and southern house garden boundaries are fenced and reinforced by low, coursed rubble walls as well as wire and timber post or star picket fence lines.

The farm yard is entered from the west through massive timber posts and a gravel track leads through the yard to a gate south of the barn. Old gravel 'metalling' is still discernible over parts of the track. The area is defined by the principal farm buildings within the complex: Stables (on the west) and Barn (on the east). The division between the rear (north) homestead garden and the service compound is defined by a row of Kei Apples. Scattered rubble stones form two-wheel lines leading from the service compound, around the hedging into the southern end of the Barn. The northern section of the area is defined by sheep yards of a mix of timber post and rail and iron girders and wire mesh. Along the northern boundary of the complex is a rubble stone wall supported by iron girders, timber posts and wire mesh. This wall has been created from the scattered stone along the northern boundary of the service compound that indicates the presence of a former stone building.

Associated with the men's quarters cottage is a remnant domestic garden containing elements of an earlier layout and fencing along with various plantings and subsequent opportunistic weeds. The men's quarters cottage is located in the northwest corner of a paddock that adjoins the eastern side of the Kitchen Wing and extends southwards. The paddock is fenced along the northern, eastern and southern boundaries, while the western boundary is delineated from the southern homestead garden by a change in ground levels. The fencing around the paddock consists of timber post and star pickets and wire. Within the paddock is located the privy and the unmarked grave site (assumed to be a member of the White family) that is distinguished by the simple, unadorned sandstone slab to the east of, and on axis with, the homestead.
Date condition updated:23 Nov 22
Current use: grazing
Former use: Aboriginal land, pastoral station, sheep stud, grazing

History

Historical notes: This historical overview has been summarised from the following documents:
Heritage Analysis and Statement of Significance - Ravensworth Estate (Lucas Stapleton Johnson 2019), Ravensworth Homestead Complex: Historical Archaeological Test Excavation Report and Impact Statement for the Core Estate Lands (Casey & Lowe, 2019), Glendell Continued Operations Project: Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report (ACHM, 2019), Comparative Heritage Study of 19th Century Hunter Region Homestead Complexes (Clive Lucas Stapleton & Partners, 2013).

WONNARUA COUNTRY

The Hunter Valley Region is the traditional land of the Wonnarua, with links to neighbouring Aboriginal peoples such as the Darkinjung, Awabakal, Worimi, Gringai, Kamilaroi and the Geawegal (Kayawaykal). Wonnarua Country is comprised of various tribal and clan territories, with particular groups connected to certain areas of the land by distinct totemic Ancestors, ceremonies, languages and law.

According to Wonnarua lore the Hunter Valley is shaped by, and forever marked by the presence of ancestral beings such as the great creator spirit, Baiame. Belief in certain creator beings is recorded as being common to Aboriginal groups across much of southeastern Australia. These creator beings were called different names in different areas, with variations in stories about their deeds.
Archaeological and historical evidence shows a pattern whereby Aboriginal campsites on the riverfronts and overlooking hills across the Hunter Valley were those chosen by the first European settlers to establish their estates and construct their homesteads. Conditions such as the location of freshwater sources, available food resources and well drained land that Aboriginal people favoured for habitation were also favoured by European settlers.
Over time, as their lands were increasingly taken up by white settlers, the ability of Aboriginal people to pursue traditional food-gathering, hunting, fishing and other cultural practices, was diminished, In addition to physical displacement, settlement activities such as land clearing, drainage and subsequent alteration of water sources had serious impacts on the landscape and availability of traditional resources.
The records also document one aspect of a gradual process of what some researchers sometimes describe as Aboriginal people 'coming in', whereby people gravitated towards individual European homesteads that had been established on and/or near their traditional lands, and who also over time began to increasingly 'settle' within or on the 'fringes' of the developing towns across the Hunter Valley.
The creek known today as Bowmans Creek (formerly Foy Brook) and its principal tributaries (Yorks Creek and Swamp Creek) provided vital resources for the Wonnarua. The topography of the area provided protected valleys and strategic vantage points along the high ridgelines. This is evidenced by the nature and concentration of evidence of Aboriginal use across the landscape, particularly along the creeks and ridgelines. Evidence includes artefact scatters, isolated artefacts, campsites and a scarred tree. This supports the strong contemporary connection to the site expressed by Aboriginal people for whom it is imbued with both tangible and intangible meanings.

EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT OF THE HUNTER VALLEY

Until the time of Governor Macquarie (1810-22) there was very little European settlement beyond the County of Cumberland, although a convict settlement had been formed at the mouth of the Hunter River (at the site later called Newcastle) in 1804.

The earliest settlement in the Hunter Valley was at Paterson's Plains (now Paterson) in 1812 and 1813 creating a dozen or so farms. Later, under the direction of the Surveyor General, surveyors Henry Dangar, Robert Dixon and George Boyle White were directed to divide the upper parts of the Hunter valley into a grid network of portions ready for alienation in 1822.

On July 1824, Dangar named the Fal Brook (current name Glennies Creek) and Foy Brook and divided the land around the current Ravensworth property into squares ready for settlement, as well as naming the parish Ravensworth.
In 1823, Newcastle ceased to be a penal settlement and substantial settlement began from that time. Government policy for the future use and settlement of land within the colony was governed by the principles associated with Royal Commissioner John Thomas Bigge (1780-1843), a former Chief Justice of Trinidad, who was appointed to review Governor Lachlan Macquarie's administration of the convict system. His reports recommended a privatisation of the government penal system. Rather than use convicts sent to Australia to undertake public works, he recommended they be assigned to large landholders.

Reflecting his elitist background and experiences in the Caribbean, Bigge was certain that wealthy and respectable 'pillars of society' represented by people such as those who eventually settled the Upper Hunter would provide virtuous administration of a convict workforce driven by their religious and moral beliefs. His recommendations were soon enshrined in instructions issued to governors who succeeded Macquarie.

By the late 1820s, a significant number of retired naval and army officers and officials emigrated to New South Wales from Britain and India along with other parts of the empire encouraged by the recommendations made by John Thomas Bigge. Many of them had wealth. Others carried vouchers based upon their military service giving them the right to acquire large areas of land. Many brought both wealth and vouchers. The capital they possessed was correlated with the land that they would be granted. These both determined the number of convicts they were allotted to work their land.
Often these wealthy settlers brought out their family and other relatives giving them the potential to amass large estates when they acquired land as well. The new settlers were entitled to receive 640 acres (one square mile) for each (Pounds)500 they brought to the colony in cash or goods. Many selected land south-west of Sydney but a significant proportion were drawn to the Upper Hunter. The existence of a ready grid made it simple for new settlers to choose suitable land, which they could occupy quickly.

The 1828 census showed 191 landholders lived in the Hunter Valley. Of those 91 landholders about half the number held large farms of more than 1000 acres, mostly owned by immigrant settlers. The large farms concentrated on pastoralism right from the beginning, rather than cultivation. Those large landholders were soon able to run even larger herds of sheep and cattle.

The Hunter Valley elite was a distinctive social caste of recently arrived wealthy free settlers. Many were appointed as magistrates. They were often prime movers in innovation and the creation of community organisations, particularly those catering for the interests of large settlers.

Because the Hunter Region was settled concurrent with the introduction of these new government policies, the convict labourer played an important role in the initial settlement period of the region. Convicts were employed in great numbers throughout the Hunter Region and if the landholder was successful, the size of land did not necessarily limit the number of convicts a particular settler could support.

As access to traditional resources became more scarce, Aboriginal camps that developed either on or adjacent to farms and pastoral stations reflected a level of interdependence between Aboriginal and white people. Some settlers sporadically employed Aboriginal people for harvest and shearing duties whilst others became dependent and/or frequently used Aboriginal labour.

FRONTIER CONFLICT

European encroachment into the Hunter has significant impacts on the landscape which had profound effects on the traditional life of the Wonnarua people. Mark Dunn writes that, "The years 1825-1827 cycled through a series of tit-for-tat attacks and retributions between Aboriginal people and Europeans in the middle Hunter Valley. A combination of increasing pressures on traditional food sources by the influx of settler's livestock, the locking off of land through fencing and farming, provocation by convicts against Aboriginal people all combined to create an atmosphere of tension and the potential for violence" (Dunn 2019).

A number of escalating episodes of violence occurred on, near, or were associated with, the Estate from 1825. These included initial Aboriginal raids and 'plunder' of crops and attacks on convict workers and robberies of travellers and their drays and the murder of an unnamed hut-keeper in June 1826. These events led up to what has been historically referred to as the 'Ravensworth massacre' when between two and eighteen Aboriginal people are reported to have been killed by a party of Mounted Police, convicts, and 'volunteers' led by Robert Scott in August 1826. While evidence of the precise location of this particular massacre event is lacking, and may not have occurred on the Ravensworth property, the longstanding association of the event with the Ravensworth Estate has endured in both name and popular conception.
Since at least 2017 the local Aboriginal people have expressed (via consultation on proposed mining activities, and various proposals for heritage protection under the Heritage Act 1977, the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984) a deep association with the landscape. It has become a symbol of the violence and displacement experienced by their ancestors, the effects of which continue to be experienced by the contemporary community today.

JAMES and MARY BOWMAN

James Bowman (1784-1846), surgeon and pastoralist, born in Cumberland, England, arrived in New South Wales in 1816 as naval surgeon on a convict transport. Disappointed in his expectations of a colonial appointment he returned to England. Two years later, having been appointed to succeed D'Arcy Wentworth as principal surgeon, he came out to Australia in company with John Thomas Bigge.

In 1823 he had married Mary, the second daughter of John and Elizabeth Macarthur, whose dowry included 2000 merino sheep and more than 200 head of cattle. His request for land commensurate with his fortune was granted in 1824 and with additional purchases his estate, Ravensworth, exceeded 12,000 acres (4856 ha).

He was on the local committee of the Australian Agricultural Company from 1824 until 1829. Other members of the committee were James Macarthur, Hannibal Macarthur, and Captain King.

For the next ten years Bowman remained in Sydney, taking little part in public affairs, save briefly as a local director of the Bank of Australasia. When his official salary ceased in 1838, two years after his services were dispensed with, he retired with his family to his Ravensworth Estate.

Drought and depression, combined with ill-advised expenditure and inexperience, led to heavy financial losses. He became involved in community affairs in the district and held the position of President of the Singleton Benevolent Society and donated land for a church near Camberwell.

James Bowman died at Ravensworth on 23 August 1846. His place of burial is unknown. It has been speculated that it could be on the property or in the churchyard at Camberwell.

THE ESTATE UNDER THE BOWMANS

On 4 June 1824 James Bowman received a Land Order for 12,160 acres as three portions. The land he chose was bounded by Foy Brook (Bowmans Creek) and Yorks Creek draining into the Hunter River. An overseer with convict workers would have been the first occupiers. Huts were probably built for their accommodation plus the earliest wool sheds.

A series of additional land portions were leased and acquired both adjoining the first grants, and in the broader locality. At its largest extent the Ravensworth Estate comprised a series of land parcels stretching from Davis Creek and Rouchel Brook near Mount Scrumlo in the north to the Hunter River near the town of Camberwell in the south, with the Ravensworth Homestead Complex at the centre of the pastoral operations of the property.
An 1835 sketch by G.B. White makes note of an old house, probably located on the ridge between Foy Brook (Bowmans Creek) and Yorks Creek.

When Sir Edward Parry visited Ravensworth in 1832, he noted that Bowman was building a substantial stone cottage. Assistant Surveyor Robert Dixon's 1833 plan of the old and new Road from Muswellbrook to the Hunter River showed the house, barn and the new house in its current location.

In 1835, a visitor to Ravensworth, Lieutenant George Pulteney Malcolm, documented sheep being washed and shorn, first in hot water and then in cold. Bowman's use of hot water for sheep-washing before shearing was an early innovation. He followed the practices of his Macarthur relatives who have been claimed as the first to use this technique, subsequently also followed by the Australian Agricultural Company.

During their visit of 1836, Missionaries James Backhouse and George Washington Walker noted that the land was covered with kangaroo grass a foot high whilst in other areas it was thickly forested. They ate oranges which were noted to have been irrigated during the dry weather and made note that the garden also included a peach orchard and vineyard.

The 1841 Census showed there were 87 people on Ravensworth including 76 men and 11 females. All the females were colonial born or had arrived free. The males included 32 assigned convicts and 13 others holding Tickets of Leave.
In addition to sheep, Ravensworth raised Durham cattle. Advertisements offered Durham cows, heifers and bulls raised at Ravensworth for sale from 1846 onwards.

According to T.M. Perry, in 1828 a total of 42% of estates in the Hunter Valley were managed by overseers for proprietors who lived elsewhere, usually in the County of Cumberland. During Bowman's period, he employed a number of overseers to manage the land, stock and convicts at Ravensworth.

John Larnach was an early overseer for Bowman. The General Muster Lists for 1823 to 1825 identified him as overseer for Bowman in the Newcastle area. He was later involved in the unlawful killing of Aboriginal people in 1826.
The November 1828 census identified John Alexander, a free immigrant as the superintendent for James Bowman at Patrick's Plains.

From 1829 James White took over as superintendent. Having arrived in the colony in 1826 overseeing the transportation of the Australian Agricultural Company's sheep to New South Wales, he was sheep supervisor for the Company from 1826 to 1829. From the time White took over as superintendent a series of letters and reports about Ravensworth survive in the Macarthur papers, providing rich insights into life on the estate.

A series of overseers are documented to have managed the land throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, beyond the Bowman period of ownership.

By 1842 Bowman, who had lost his official position, incurred heavy construction costs of his Glebe home, Lyndhurst (built 1833-37 to the design of John Verge) and acquired the large estates of Segenhoe and Waverley, came under financial pressure. His brothers-in-law, William and James Macarthur supported him at this time by leasing various parcels of land at Ravensworth.

After selling various assets, James and Mary Bowman moved their permanent residence to Ravensworth in 1843.
Following Bowman's death in 1846, in order to meet debts to the bank, in 1847, James Macarthur, Emily Macarthur and William Macarthur conveyed Ravensworth to the Bank of Australasia. In 1848, under instruction by Edward Bowman, the contents of the Ravensworth house and remaining stock were advertised for sale by auction. The Bank held the property for a number of years.

CAPTAIN WILLIAM RUSSELL

Captain William Russell (1807-1866), born in England, and retired from the 20th Reg., arrived in the colony in 1837 with his wife and son and became a pastoralist and agriculturalist. He may have been a military officer or a ships captain. He was a member of the NSW Legislative Assembly 1859-60 as the member for Patrick's Plains and member of the NSW Legislative Council 1861-1865. He died in England in 1866.

Russell purchased a number of Hunter Valley properties including Ravensworth and Cheshunt Park to the south of the Hunter River. He also held substantial squatting properties beyond the Hunter Valley, particularly Wallangra in the Inverell district.

By January 1851 Captain William Russell was occupying Ravensworth when he advertised that an employee had absconded. On 15 December 1853, the Bank of Australasia conveyed Ravensworth to Captain William Russell.
Like James Bowman, the Russell family acquired the freehold of numerous parcels of land around Ravensworth, either by purchase at auction when the land was offered for sale or as Conditional Purchases. James Edmond Davys managed Ravensworth for William Russell as early as 1854 and the Russell family stocked Ravensworth with Durham cattle.

In 1875, the Ravensworth estate was advertised for sale with the following description, "at the homestead there is a proprietors residence of 10 apartments, besides kitchen, servants apartments, pantry, cellar, store and dairy together with large wool shed, wool-rooms, coach-house, stables, store, granary etc. all of which are built of cut stone. The other improvements comprise good cottages and huts for the overseers and men, also convenient slaughter house, forge etc. etc. (Sydney Morning Herald, 9th October 1875)

The Russell family continued to hold the land from the time of Willian Russell's death in 1866 until finally deciding to sell upon the death of Eliza Russell in 1881.
Ravensworth was subdivided in 1882. Lot 1 included 2,200 acres. Lot 2 was 1,400 acres. Lot 3 measured 900 acres and Lot 4 measured 2000 acres. All were separated from the main estate by the New England Highway and the Great Northern Railway.

THE MACKAY FAMILY

The central part of the estate comprising the Ravenswood Homestead Complex and its setting was eventually purchased by Duncan Forbes Mackay in 1883.
Duncan Forbes Mackay Snr. had been born in Sunderlandshire, Scotland in 1792. He went to Prince Edward Island with his parents in 1806 and was in Australia by 1826. Duncan Forbes Mackay did not marry and had no children. In the 1830s, he had encouraged his brother John Mackay to come to Australia. By 1850, Duncan Forbes Mackay Snr. had made over his estate to his brother's family.

During the Mackays' period of ownership, the Ravensworth property concentrated on merino wool production, cattle and general farming, dairying, maize, as well as maintaining its orchards. Mackay ringbarked much of the property to increase its grazing capacity. The Stock Return of 31 December 1884 showed Ravensworth held by D.F. Mackay Jnr., had an area of 47,032 acres, with 310 horses, 2,567 cattle, 22,000 sheep and 100 pig.

When Duncan Forbes Mackay Jnr. died in June 1887, the Ravensworth Estate totalled 62,651 acres.

The Land Company of Australasia had been formed in 1885 to subdivide large estates and to settle British farmers in NSW. The company claimed to have purchased 63,000 acres of the Ravensworth estate according to a press report in 1889. The Company later failed and while Ravensworth was subdivided for sale no final sales occurred.
In 1894, an auction of Ravensworth Estate in the estate of D.F. Mackay was advertised for 5 June of that year (see Figure 2.35 above). At the time the property included a complete homestead, making a comfortable family residence with kitchen and outbuildings built of stone. A large stable and barn, coach house, men's quarters and overseer's cottage were also at the home station. The outstation included an overseer's cottage, kitchen, garden and horse paddock. The whole property was subdivided into 63 paddocks suitable for cattle or sheep. The property would be sold at the risk of the Land Company of Australasia. The property did not sell and in c1895, William Mackay, a nephew of Duncan Forbes Mackay junior took a lease over Ravensworth with Robert A. Hill remaining as manager.

In 1895, the Maitland Weekly Mercury reported the property included a fine woolshed with stands for 20 shearers was included. At this time 25,000 sheep and 2,000 cattle were on the property. William Mackay was then introducing Devon cattle to the station. Ravensworth was timbered with gum, ironbark and apple. The homestead was described as a well-built cottage with slate roof. Stables had been erected by Duncan Forbes Mackay. The Land Company had promoted orchards, some of which were still in good condition. An excellent seam of coal had been discovered. It also noted that James Bowman had built a large wheat silo "to the left of the house on the hill" of excellent workmanship, which may be ideal for use as a water tank.

On 15 February 1902, the Sydney Mail published an article on Ravensworth. It claimed the property was the oldest in the Hunter.237 The walls of the house were of stone 3 feet thick with windows built to use as firing ports for rifles to defend the house (no physical evidence exists. Photographs published with the article included the house, the house dam and views across the landscape.
Alterations were made to Ravensworth house under the supervision of architect W Pender of Maitland in Federation style in 1906 that included a timber and iron workmen's barrack of three rooms with a verandah. Other than the 1884 shearing shed, documentary evidence of Pender's involvement at Ravensworth house has not been uncovered at this time. However, it is known that architect James Warren Scobie undertook work at property, advertising for tenders for renovations to Ravensworth House for W.H. Mackay in 1905 (The Maitland Daily Mercury, Saturday 9th December 1905).

Robert Ascot Hill, who was related to the Mackay family by marriage, was manager of Ravensworth for many years. He was also ringmaster at the Singleton Show for many years and known as a breeder of excellent racehorses. Hill and his family resided at Ravensworth from c.1882 to 1911. A photographer visited the family in the 1890s and again (assumed) in the early 20th century and a series of photographs of the homestead survive from the Hill family period.

FRANK JOSEPH LAPPEN MEASURES

On 1 April 1911, Adelaide Ann Mackay, wife of William Hooke Mackay senior, and William Hooke Mackay junior, conveyed the land to Frank Joseph Lappen Measures, Niagara Park, farmer F.J.L. Measures (1863-1936) was an American who arrived in Australia about 1899 having last been in the United States in 1893.253 He was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1863 and had been part of a wheat syndicate in Milwaukee. In Australia, Measures was a grazier and real estate dealer, who purchased a number of large estates on the Central Coast, the Hunter and Gunnedah to subdivide for sale.

On 6 January 1912, a sale notice for the Ravensworth Estate by its owner F.J.L. Measures, Niagara Park was issued. Various versions of the subdivision plan of Measures' Ravensworth Estate are held in the Mitchell Library and in files held at State Archives of NSW. One of them dated about 1911 showed the lots with some details of purchasers but only showed buildings on Lots 4 and 5.
Lot 4 was sold to A.W. Farey (1,100 ac) and was occupied by him with homestead, cottage and woolshed shown.
Measures was declared bankrupt on 11 December 1916. He later became an estate agent. In 1933, he was found guilty of fraud when he represented himself as the owner of a large estate at Narrabeen that he attempted to sell.267 He died in March 1936.

ALFRED WALTER ALBERT FAREY

Alfred Walter Albert Farey was born on 5 May 1865, at Adelaide. He signed a contract to purchase Allotment 4 occupied by the homestead complex in 1912. He had previously been a wheat farmer at Peak Hill for 14 years. He was recorded as living at Ravensworth on 19 June 1912 on his marriage certificate.

Farey refused to pay later instalments for the purchasing of Lot 4 so Measures took him to court. Farey argued that Measures had "made misrepresentations to him as to the land being in the valley of the Hunter River that it was thoroughly cleared and closely grassed, and of heavy carrying capacity and sweet, sound, and well and permanently watered. The court found in favour of Measures. During his occupation of the land Farey spent about (Pounds)250 on ringbarking, fencing and other matters, while growing wheat and raising sheep and cattle. He vacated the property in April 1916 leaving a man (name unknown) in charge and moving to Baulkham Hills.

After losing the court case, Farey was financially ruined. He filed for bankruptcy on 11 September 1916. From his extensive experience growing wheat, Farey explained that the land was unsuitable for this crop being affected by red rust and the soil would not respond to treatment with superphosphate. About 50 others had similar experiences and lost their land to Measures.

ALEXANDER COUCHRIAN REID - CROWN LAND

A new Certificate of Title was issued to Alexander Couchrian Reid, Sydney, grazier on 30 December 1920 for various lots in the Measures subdivision with a total area of 3,227 acres 1 rood 5 perches, including Allotment 4 Section B DP 6842, which held the Ravensworth homestead. A transfer was made of the eastern half of Allotment 4 to His Majesty King George V for the purposes of Closer Settlement Acts and Settlement Purchases by Discharged Soldiers on 25 October 1920 and was noted on the new certificate.

AUGUSTINE CAMPBELL MARSHALL - SOLDIER SETTLEMENT

Soldier settlement commenced in 1916 after an Australia wide Premiers' conference in Adelaide. The scheme sought to place returned soldiers on the land in order to absorb them back into civil society. Concern that the returned men could become a dangerous force of under-employed men accustomed to violence coalesced with the mythic status of the pioneer settler, a potent element in the narrative of white settlement across Australia. The Returned Soldiers' Settlement Act 1916 (Act No 21, 1916) gave returned men the right to apply to purchase land in areas set aside as Returned Soldiers Special Holding Areas. Men approved by local Repatriation Committees were allotted land in special schemes subdivided for them.

In 1920, Augustine Campbell Marshall (1891-1983), a Light Horse veteran selected portion 228 with the homestead complex as a Settlement Purchase. Marshall had enlisted on 18 October 1915 and embarked on 10 November 1915 for the Middle East where he was a member of the 6th Squadron, 2nd Remount Unit. He also served for a time with the camel section of the Remount Unit. He returned and was discharged on 24 October 1919. He used the property for dairying and sheep.

By 1924 he had made improvements including a, stone house, stone kitchen, three tanks, man's quarters, 2 Stables, 2 sheds, black smith's shop, underground tank, slaughterhouse, two wells, two dams, sheep dip, sheep yards, fencing and the partial clearing of 817 acres. In general, the property was very efficiently managed, with dairy cattle and 8 to 900 sheep.

Inspector John Bonar made a report on 20 December 1930. Except for the weatherboard cottage, all buildings were stone and convict built. All were now in first class order.

On 20 August 1962, the mines and minerals under Allotment 4 Section B DP 6842 with an area of 820 acres 2 roods 14 perches were transferred to the Electricity Commission of New South Wales. 306 A Perpetual Lease on Settlement Purchase Grant was issued to A.C. Campbell on 9 April 1969307 (as well as the adjoining allotments 5 & 6 of DP 6842). The eastern part of the land excluding the homestead was excised on 18 July 1973 to become the new Portion 232 (eastern portion). It was sold to the Electricity Commission of NSW. In 1974, the residue was converted to Settlement Purchase 74/3, approved on 12 September 1975.

The property continued to be held by Marshall. Augustine Campbell Marshall died on 1 May 1983 aged 91. His widow Enid (nee Moore) died on 27 March 1993 aged 92. The property was transferred to their son Geoffrey Campbell Marshall in the 1980s.

In 1965, Geoffrey Campbell Marshall married Jennifer Anne Ward of Yackerboon, Denman. Following their marriage, they converted the Men's Quarter's cottage into a single residence and lived there as their first home together. In 1969, Geoff and Jenny relocated to a neighbouring property to the west (Lots 5 and 6 of DP 6842), previously owned by E & R Andrews. The Andrews had built a modern brick residence in the 1950s, and the Marshalls lived in this house until the 1980s. This property became known as the "Ravensworth Farm" by the Marshalls.

Following their return to the Ravensworth homestead, Geoff and Jenny remained at Ravensworth until 2000, following its purchase by Liddell Southern Tenements Pty Ltd (now part of Glencore Australia) in 1997.

Historic themes

Australian theme (abbrev)New South Wales themeLocal theme
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures. Gardens-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures. Other open space-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures. River flats-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures. Introduce cultural planting-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures. Changing the environment-
1. Environment-Tracing the evolution of a continent's special environments Environment - naturally evolved-Activities associated with the physical surroundings that support human life and influence or shape human cultures. Cultural: Plains and plateaux supporting human activities-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent Aboriginal cultures and interactions with other cultures-Activities associated with maintaining, developing, experiencing and remembering Aboriginal cultural identities and practices, past and present. All Nations - Massacre Sites-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent Aboriginal cultures and interactions with other cultures-Activities associated with maintaining, developing, experiencing and remembering Aboriginal cultural identities and practices, past and present. Wonnarua Nation - places evidencing occupation-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent Convict-Activities relating to incarceration, transport, reform, accommodation and working during the convict period in NSW (1788-1850) - does not include activities associated with the conviction of persons in NSW that are unrelated to the imperial 'convict system': use the theme of Law & Order for such activities (none)-
2. Peopling-Peopling the continent Migration-Activities and processes associated with the resettling of people from one place to another (international, interstate, intrastate) and the impacts of such movements (none)-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture Private farming-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture Attempting to transplant European farming practices to Australian environments-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture Ancillary structures - sheds, crop storage-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Agriculture-Activities relating to the cultivation and rearing of plant and animal species, usually for commercial purposes, can include aquaculture Ancillary structures - wells, cisterns-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Developing local, regional and national economies-National Theme 3
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes of mining-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes of food production-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes of cultural and natural interaction-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes and gardens of domestic accommodation-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Environment - cultural landscape-Activities associated with the interactions between humans, human societies and the shaping of their physical surroundings Landscapes and parklands of distinctive styles-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences Providing a venue for significant events-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Events-Activities and processes that mark the consequences of natural and cultural occurences Developing local landmarks-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Mining-Activities associated with the identification, extraction, processing and distribution of mineral ores, precious stones and other such inorganic substances. Mining for coal-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use Beef cattle breeding and raising-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use Sheep farming for lamb and mutton-
3. Economy-Developing local, regional and national economies Pastoralism-Activities associated with the breeding, raising, processing and distribution of livestock for human use Agisting and fattening stock for slaughter-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Building settlements, towns and cities-National Theme 4
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Gentlemens Villas-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Timber and iron vernacular-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Farm homestead-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Victorian era residence-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. early settlement or worker's cottage-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Housing farming families-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Crude huts-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Housing for farm and station hands-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Housing working animals-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Accommodating workers in workers' housing-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Housing famous families-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Country Villa-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Accommodation-Activities associated with the provision of accommodation, and particular types of accommodation – does not include architectural styles – use the theme of Creative Endeavour for such activities. Pastoral Homestead-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal 1820s-1850s land grants-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Early farming (Cattle grazing)-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Granting Crown lands for private farming-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Administering and alienating Crown lands-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Early farming (sheep grazing)-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Land tenure-Activities and processes for identifying forms of ownership and occupancy of land and water, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Early farming (cropping)-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages Beautifying rural estates-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages Developing the social life of a rural community-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages Vernacular hamlets and settlements-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages living in the country-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages Rural Estates-
4. Settlement-Building settlements, towns and cities Towns, suburbs and villages-Activities associated with creating, planning and managing urban functions, landscapes and lifestyles in towns, suburbs and villages A quiet Rural District-
5. Working-Working Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour Working with animals-
5. Working-Working Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour Working independently on the land-
5. Working-Working Labour-Activities associated with work practises and organised and unorganised labour Working on the land-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. State government-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Colonial government-
7. Governing-Governing Government and Administration-Activities associated with the governance of local areas, regions, the State and the nation, and the administration of public programs - includes both principled and corrupt activities. Developing roles for government - administration of land-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Interior design styles and periods - Colonial-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Applying architectural design to utlilitarian structures-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Building in response to natural landscape features.-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Building in response to climate - bushfires-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Landscaping - Victorian period-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Landscaping - colonial period-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Architectural styles and periods - colonial homestead-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Vernacular structures and building techniques-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Creative endeavour-Activities associated with the production and performance of literary, artistic, architectural and other imaginative, interpretive or inventive works; and/or associated with the production and expression of cultural phenomena; and/or environments that have inspired such creative activities. Interior design styles and periods - Victorian-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Country estates - visiting, enjoying-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Ways of life 1900-1950-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Ways of life 1788-1850-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Ways of life 1850-1900-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Ornamental Garden-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Valuing women's contributions-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Living in a rural homestead-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Living in a new house-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Domestic life-Activities associated with creating, maintaining, living in and working around houses and institutions. Living in, adapting and renovating homes for changing conditions-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Outdoor relief-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Visiting gardens-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Activities associated with relaxation and recreation-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Horse riding-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Gardening-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Visiting heritage places-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Leisure-Activities associated with recreation and relaxation Gathering at landmark places to socialise-
8. Culture-Developing cultural institutions and ways of life Social institutions-Activities and organisational arrangements for the provision of social activities Developing local clubs and meeting places-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Dr James Bowman, principal colonial surgeon-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Governor Lt.-Cnl. Sir George Gipps, KB, 1838-1846-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Sir Edward Parry, sailer, AA.Co.Commissioner-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Duncan Forbes Mackay Jnr., major NSW and Qld.grazier-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Governor (Mjr-Gen.) Sir Thomas Brisbane, GCB, KCH, 1821-1825-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with the Hon. Francis John (Frank) White MLA, grazier, politician-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Henry Lamont Mackellar, pastoralist-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Edward Bowman, landowner-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with Mary Bowman (nee Macarthur), gentlewoman-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with the Hon. Captain William Russell MLA MLC, soldier, pastoralist, agricultirst, politician-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with William Mackay, grazier-
9. Phases of Life-Marking the phases of life Persons-Activities of, and associations with, identifiable individuals, families and communal groups Associations with the Macarthur family, graziers-

Assessment of significance

SHR Criteria a)
[Historical significance] 		The land that forms Ravensworth is of State historical significance for being a rare example of an early pastoral estate in the Upper Hunter region of NSW.

Ravensworth Homestead Complex and Setting is of State historical significance as it demonstrates the successful implementation of government policy introduced in the Hunter Region in the early 1820s which drove economic and agricultural development through the management of land and convicts by private landowners. Ravensworth Homestead Complex and Setting is one of a diminishing number of surviving pastoral estates which together demonstrate how this policy resulted in the rapid European settlement beyond the Cumberland Plain and into the Hunter region.

Evidence of this important historical period remains in the property boundaries, the road alignments, remnant landscape features (including the alignment of fence lines, vegetation modification, early dams and evidence of early cultivation), historical archaeological sites (including evidence of a potential convict barracks, the underground silo together with evidence of an extensive range of former outbuildings) and the surviving c.1832 homestead complex including its configuration and landscape setting. The Ravensworth homestead garden is of historical significance on a State level as being, along with Camden Park, Camden, NSW, among the few places where the first experiments with plant breeding were carried out in Australia, undertaken by Edward Macarthur Bowman and William Macarthur in coordination with John Carne Bidwill.

The Ravensworth Homestead Complex and Setting is of State significance as the traditional lands of the Wonnarua people, and as a site of first settlement which resulted in the dispersal and eviction of Aboriginal people. Ravensworth is a significant historical estate from which raids and retribution actions were resourced and planned against the Wonnarua people. The drawn-out conflict over a protracted period indicates that the landscape features (including resources, water courses and vantage points provided by topography) which made Ravensworth a desirable land grant for James Bowman were also valued by the Wonnarua people. Bowman's development of the homestead complex and pastoral run displaced the Wonnarua people from their lands. Although exact location of the event known as the Ravensworth Massacre may not have been within the curtilage, documentation confirms the occurrence of multiple frontier conflict events and killings within it.
SHR Criteria b)
[Associative significance] 		Ravensworth Homestead Complex and Setting is of State heritage significance for its association with Dr James Bowman, principal surgeon of the colony and inspector of colonial hospitals and local committee member of the Australian Agricultural Co. (A.A. Co.), who was granted the land in 1824, established and expanded the property as a sheep run and named the property Ravensworth.

It is of State heritage significance for its association with the Macarthur Family, including Mary Bowman, daughter of John and Elizabeth Macarthur, whose dowry of 2000 sheep and 200 cattle allowed James Bowman to apply for the initial land grant that became the Ravensworth Estate. John Macarthur was an entrepreneur, pastoralist and founder of the A.A Co. the oldest continuously operating company in Australia and is recognised as being the pioneer of the Australian merino industry. His son William, an influential horticulturalist, financially assisted the Bowmans with the management of the estate lands throughout its early history.

Ravensworth is associated with Edward Macarthur Bowman, eldest son of Dr James and Mary Bowman, who was a botanical collector and botanist who lived at and managed Ravensworth from 1843 to 1848. In cooperation with his friend, botanist John Carne Bidwill, Edward participated in some of the first efforts at plant breeding in Australia including the hybridisation of Gladioli being among the experiments carried out at Ravensworth. Edward Macarthur Bowman became a botanical collector in north-east Australia and is best-known for his discovery of Ptychosperma alexandrae (Alexandra Palm).

It is of State heritage significance for its association with James White, former employee of A.A. Co. and founder of the White pastoral dynasty who was an early overseer at Ravensworth and for whom the homestead was constructed. This association extends to the A.A. Co. generally, the oldest continuously operating company in Australia.

Ravensworth is of State significance for its associations with the Wonnarua, the Aboriginal people who are the traditional custodians of the land. This association is demonstrated through extensive archaeological, documentary and oral records. Ravensworth is associated with the 1826 event known as the Ravensworth Massacre. Although the precise location of the Ravensworth Massacre may not have been within the curtilage of Ravensworth Homestead Complex and Setting, it has long been linked in name and popular consciousness. This association with the well documented event is of State heritage significance as it gives a rare insight into the environment and climate of conflict caused by dispossession of Aboriginal people in the Upper Hunter in the early 19th century, which profoundly shaped the post-contact history of the area and community.

It is also of State heritage significance for its association with Jackey-Jackey (d.1827), a local Aboriginal man, who following his capture for an attack on James Bowman's men on the Ravensworth Estate lands, was executed without trial at Wallis Plains by Lieutenant Nathaniel Lowe of the Mounted Police. This led to a military officer being brought before the courts for actions against Aboriginal people for the first time in 1827.
SHR Criteria c)
[Aesthetic significance] 		Ravensworth Homestead Complex and Setting is of aesthetic significance as an example of a Hunter Valley cultural landscape with shared Aboriginal and European values. The landscape is shaped by the two main creek lines, Bowmans Creek and Yorks Creek, with pockets of lightly forested lands and gentle rises in the landform that provide views of the floodplains and cleared grazing lands leading southwards to the Hunter River. The curtilage retains State significant viewsheds from and between key locations within the landscape, including the site of the original homestead and the extant homestead. The historic buildings, cultural plantings and agricultural features located within the landscape create a strong sense of place, reflecting the 19th and 20th century agricultural and community-driven development of the broader locality.

Although mining activities have commenced on surrounding agricultural land, Ravensworth continues to display many of the characteristics of the typical pre-1850s Hunter Estate, including siting of the surviving c.1832 homestead adjacent to Yorks Creek, complex of early outbuildings including the stone barns, stone store and privy, remnant 19th century garden, and the immediate surrounding agricultural lands which retain their visual relationship with the homestead complex.

The surviving buildings are of State heritage significance as a rare, potentially architecturally designed and planned, and relatively intact 'farmstead' complex, including an archetypal bungalow with verandahs in antis and two balanced farm buildings forming a Palladian compound composition. Suggested to be designed by an architect or gentleman architect of the time, the homestead complex appears to have been built in c.1832. The main homestead with kitchen wing and the surviving two balanced farm buildings (barn and stables) form a rare, symmetrical compound composition of aesthetic appeal, consistent detailing and technical significance. The group is of State heritage significance for its intact colonial features including stone quoins, stone flagging, stone mantelpieces, blank window recesses, six panelled colonial doors and twelve-pane colonial windows.

The garden of the main homestead provides the immediate landscape setting for the house and contributes to the aesthetic significance of the item as a remnant of a late 19th/early 20th century garden planted within an 1830s-40s layout.
SHR Criteria e)
[Research potential] 		Ravensworth Homestead Complex and Setting has the potential to provide a deeper understanding of the history of this region of NSW and to provide insights into the complex network of connections, interactions, shared experiences and shared land use that occurred between Aboriginal people, the settlers, their workers and the estate lands. This is expressed in the interconnections of built structures, and evidence of historic activities within the landscape setting.

Because the subsequent development of the Ravensworth Homestead Complex and Setting was modest, there exists a relatively large and undisturbed archaeological record relating to the colonial period and together with documentary evidence, there is potential for it to provide significant evidence of colonial building practices, agricultural and horticultural practices and the use and treatment of convicts in a non-institutional setting from the early 1820s to the late 1830s.

Features and archaeological sites of note include the brick beehive cistern, the brick lined well, the underground silo, the stone lined dams, footings of former buildings and other structures immediately to the north of the homestead complex, cultural plantings forming wind breaks, the former woolshed and sheep dip, the configuration of paddocks and their fencing and evidence of early cultivation, tracks, timber bridges, cattle ramps, timber yards and other agricultural structures and features.
SHR Criteria f)
[Rarity] 		Ravensworth Homestead Complex and Setting possesses uncommon, rare and endangered aspects of NSW's cultural history. Due to the relatively modest history of development throughout the 19th and 20th century, the landscape has the potential to provide information, by way of further study and archaeological investigation, into pre- and post-contact Aboriginal lives, colonial building techniques, 19th century lifestyles, agricultural and horticultural practices and the working lives of convicts in a non-institutional setting, which is considered rare.

It contains individually rare components including the finely built (stone and timber), architecturally planned group of colonial farm buildings configured symmetrically around a farmyard compound, the original colonial Georgian bungalow style house of single pile "H" plan, the form of the stables with an arcaded recessed porch to the tack room and the stone-built barn.

The extensive documentation about the Ravensworth Homestead Complex and Setting is rare at a State level, together with the physical evidence which it serves to complement and interact with. In particular, the known archaeology and written records for Ravensworth relating to the Aboriginal history specific to this place is an uncommon and highly significant aspect of the place, particularly with regard to its history as a place of frontier conflict between European and Aboriginal people. Research on frontier conflicts and mapping of massacre sites is bringing new perspectives that enhance the significance of places such as Ravensworth.
SHR Criteria g)
[Representativeness] 		The principal characteristics of Ravensworth Homestead Complex and Setting is representative of a significant pattern of colonisation and history of development that occurred in the Hunter Region and one that is still able to be experienced today. It is representative of the selection of land and planning and siting of homesteads and agricultural activities in this period in terms of amenity and views. Important charactistics include its associations with prominent pioneering figures, its physical attributes including the 1830s homestead complex located adjacent to a water course, agricultural lands, as well as the associated outbuildings and garden, the use of assigned servants and its known associations with the local Aboriginal people.

The place contains natural and modified features and Aboriginal archaeological sites that are representative of Aboriginal cultural landscapes of the Upper Hunter Valley. The archaeological record is representative both in terms of the types of artefacts recorded and the raw materials from which the artefacts were manufactured.

Ravensworth Homestead Complex and Setting is also representative of the pattern of development for large pastoral properties throughout NSW from the early 19th century with increasing subdivision into smaller pastoral holdings, and eventually, mining exploration into the 20th century.

The period of development from the early 20th century is representative of the application of the Closer Settlement (Amendment) Act 1904 instigated by the government to encourage agricultural development of smaller rural allotments by ex-service personnel and migrants resulting in the subdivision of the large estate lands into small holdings, evidence of which remains today in surrounding property boundaries
Integrity/Intactness: Good
Assessment criteria: Items are assessed against the PDF State Heritage Register (SHR) Criteria to determine the level of significance. Refer to the Listings below for the level of statutory protection.

Recommended management:

Recommendations

Management CategoryDescriptionDate Updated
Statutory InstrumentNominate for State Heritage Register (SHR) 
Recommended ManagementProduce a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) 
Recommended ManagementPrepare a maintenance schedule or guidelines 
Recommended ManagementDocument and prepare an archival record 
Recommended ManagementCarry out interpretation, promotion and/or education 

Listings

Heritage ListingListing TitleListing NumberGazette DateGazette NumberGazette Page
Heritage Act - Under consideration for SHR/IHO listingNomination of Ravensworth Homestead 15 Jan 18   
Local Environmental PlanSingleton Local Environmental Plan 1996199605 Jul 96 081 
Heritage studyHunter Region 19th c. Rural Homesteads Study 13 Jan 12   

Study details

TitleYearNumberAuthorInspected byGuidelines used
Hunter Region 19th Century Rural Homesteads Study2012 Clive Lucas, Stapleton & Partners  Yes

References, internet links & images

TypeAuthorYearTitleInternet Links
WrittenACHM2019Glendell Continued Operations Project: Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Assessment Report
WrittenBligh, Beatrice1973Cherish the Earth - the story of gardening in Australia
WrittenCasey & Lowe2019Ravensworth Homestead Complex: Historical Archaeological Test Excavation Report and Impact Statement for the Core Estate Lands
WrittenCrittenden, Victor1992A Shrub in the Landscape of Fame: Thomas Shepherd, Australian Landscape Gardener and Nurseryman
WrittenDr Mark Dunn2019Ravensworth: Contact History
WrittenGray, N.1966'Bowman, James (1784–1846)'
WrittenLucas Stapleton Johnson2019Heritage Analysis and Statement of Significance - Ravensworth Estate
WrittenNesta Griffiths, G.1954Some Northern Homes of N.S.W.
WrittenWillett, J.2013'Free Settler or Felon'
WrittenWood, W.A.1972Dawn in the Valley :The Early History of the Hunter Valley Settlement

Note: internet links may be to web pages, documents or images.
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Data source

The information for this entry comes from the following source:
Name: Heritage NSW
Database number: 5066077
File number: EF18/48082

Every effort has been made to ensure that information contained in the State Heritage Inventory is correct. If you find any errors or omissions please send your comments to the Database Manager.

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