James Smith Clarkson
James Smith Clarkson was born during 1806, in Bubwith, Yorkshire. The third son of Bernard and Elizabeth Clarkson. His middle name 'Smith', was his mother's maiden name (b. 1775, d. May 1832).
In early 1829, the Clarkson brother's father, the Merchant Banker, Barnard Clarkson (b. 1774) had chartered the brig Tranby, in association with Joseph Hardey, a farmer and Wesleyan layman from the other side of the Humber estuary, and his brother John Wall Hardey. The intending immigrants, including family members and indentured servants, were all Methodists and well versed in farming practices. "It is their intention to cultivate tobacco, cotton, and the vine, for which the soil and the climate are said to be favourable, as well as for the production of silk; indeed, the late accounts in these respects are particularly favourable." |
In 1829, the 23 year old James was unmarried, and was living at Holme House, near Market Weighton.
He departed from the Old Dock, Hull, on the chartered brig Tranby with his brother Michael Clarkson, on Wednesday, 9th September bound for the Swan River Colony. The voyage was to take 5 months calling into Cape Town for stock and provisions.
He departed from the Old Dock, Hull, on the chartered brig Tranby with his brother Michael Clarkson, on Wednesday, 9th September bound for the Swan River Colony. The voyage was to take 5 months calling into Cape Town for stock and provisions.
After Arrival at Fremantle
The Tranby folk came ashore on Wednesday, February 3rd 1830, and swelled the Colony's total population to around 1,850. Twenty-five ships had arrived at Fremantle before them. Many more than Governor James Stirling had expected in the six months since he had arrived in the ship Parmelia with its handpicked band of pioneers.
The wide range of Livestock, the Goods and Chattels, stores and provisions from England, and the Cape, were then brought ashore onto the beach. It was two weeks before all of the goods on Tranby had been transferred to the shore.
Very little land had been properly surveyed. People were angry at the delays that prevented them from building proper homes and enclosing land in which to keep their stock. Animals were escaping into the bush, or growing poorer on the limited supplies of grass and water that were at hand.
The Tranby folk found that only a few people had brought wooden houses and some had begun to build with limestone, which was available a few inches below the sand at the port. They expected to find the Governor in the Fremantle township but soon learned that he was then established at a site he had named “Perth” about fifteen miles up the Swan River.
The wide range of Livestock, the Goods and Chattels, stores and provisions from England, and the Cape, were then brought ashore onto the beach. It was two weeks before all of the goods on Tranby had been transferred to the shore.
Very little land had been properly surveyed. People were angry at the delays that prevented them from building proper homes and enclosing land in which to keep their stock. Animals were escaping into the bush, or growing poorer on the limited supplies of grass and water that were at hand.
The Tranby folk found that only a few people had brought wooden houses and some had begun to build with limestone, which was available a few inches below the sand at the port. They expected to find the Governor in the Fremantle township but soon learned that he was then established at a site he had named “Perth” about fifteen miles up the Swan River.
A fellow passenger (and the ship's surgeon for the voyage) Dr. Thomas Coke Brownell records at the time:
"Fifteen miles up the River on the opposite side to this, the embryo of another Town is situated and designated Perth. It is considered the capital of the Colony, is the seat of Government and the residence of the Governor, Capt. Stirling. The mouth of the river is effectively blocked up by a bar of rocks on the one side, and sand on the other; leaving a narrow channel in the centre deep enough only for large boats to enter, and that attended with considerable risk at times. Proceeding upwards, the navigation is quite as bad arising from its shallowness; in many parts not allowing boats drawing two and a half feet to pass, sometimes for days; the land and sea breezes too are uncertain in their duration, preventing the communication between the two Towns and the interior for 7 or 8 days together."
"Fifteen miles up the River on the opposite side to this, the embryo of another Town is situated and designated Perth. It is considered the capital of the Colony, is the seat of Government and the residence of the Governor, Capt. Stirling. The mouth of the river is effectively blocked up by a bar of rocks on the one side, and sand on the other; leaving a narrow channel in the centre deep enough only for large boats to enter, and that attended with considerable risk at times. Proceeding upwards, the navigation is quite as bad arising from its shallowness; in many parts not allowing boats drawing two and a half feet to pass, sometimes for days; the land and sea breezes too are uncertain in their duration, preventing the communication between the two Towns and the interior for 7 or 8 days together."
Early Land Grants
The Government by their regulations, published in August 1829, had wisely circumscribed the river frontage of every holding, and surveyed the sections to run back some distance from the Swan. These long, narrow blocks came to be called "ribbon grants". In this way, every settler was able to enjoy the advantage of river transport, and the residences were within easy walking distance of each other. The principal early grants were situated above Perth, along the beautiful reaches of the river winding up to Guildford. The river frontage of grants, on either side, fairly evenly faced each other, and the settlers built their houses near the river, on some prominent bank, or on a gentle slope terraced by small hills.
There was a justified criticism that during the first six months of settlement, Stirling had granted much good land to many people who were not bona fide settlers (Civil, Navel and Military officers).
There was a justified criticism that during the first six months of settlement, Stirling had granted much good land to many people who were not bona fide settlers (Civil, Navel and Military officers).
In 1829, the Lt. Governor James Stirling had reserved two “peninsulas” on the river, one on either side of the river inland from Perth. That on the right was for a racecourse, but his plans for the other are not at present known. Henry Camfield, who came in the Caroline only two months after Perth was founded, was given the reserve on the left bank. He planned to grow hops for beer, an aim that was favoured by Stirling, who hoped that a supply of beer would lessen the excessive drinking of rum and other spirits that was then prevalent among the “lower classes”.
The Peninsula
When the Clarksons and the Hardeys arrived with their chartered ship, bringing with them tradesmen, farmers, servants, livestock, seeds, implements, and their expert knowledge of farming, Stirling decided to sacrifice the projected racecourse so that they could have land close to Perth, and the area was given the name of “The Peninsula”.
Together, Michael and James Clarkson were entitled to an impressive 18,466 acres in the Colony, their goods being worth, according to meticulously prepared account, £1,384, 10 shillings, and 11¼ pennies.
The brothers took up part of their entitlements as land on the Peninsula until further suitable land could be allocated further from the Swan River.
Together, Michael and James Clarkson were entitled to an impressive 18,466 acres in the Colony, their goods being worth, according to meticulously prepared account, £1,384, 10 shillings, and 11¼ pennies.
The brothers took up part of their entitlements as land on the Peninsula until further suitable land could be allocated further from the Swan River.
The Early Years
Doctor Thomas Brownell records at the time while still living a Fremantle:
"The heat of the atmosphere is very great, during the greater part of the year, much higher than is given in the Official Reports in England. It was not the latter part of Autumn yet the thermometer generally stood at 83' [28'C] in the shade and sometimes 126' [52'C] in the sun. The water at Fremantle is very bad, not wholesome to be drunk without spirits, and almost invariably producing dysentery. During the winter season shipping cannot anchor in the Gages Roads with any kind of safety from the tremendous gales of wind which are then prevalent. Cockburn Sound is their only refuge, and that is distant several miles, and the communication with Fremantle equally uncertain from the kind of wind that happens to prevail and by no means unattended with danger under the best circumstances."
"The heat of the atmosphere is very great, during the greater part of the year, much higher than is given in the Official Reports in England. It was not the latter part of Autumn yet the thermometer generally stood at 83' [28'C] in the shade and sometimes 126' [52'C] in the sun. The water at Fremantle is very bad, not wholesome to be drunk without spirits, and almost invariably producing dysentery. During the winter season shipping cannot anchor in the Gages Roads with any kind of safety from the tremendous gales of wind which are then prevalent. Cockburn Sound is their only refuge, and that is distant several miles, and the communication with Fremantle equally uncertain from the kind of wind that happens to prevail and by no means unattended with danger under the best circumstances."
In the early years of the Colony, Michael and James Clarkson carried on their farming activities in a partnership. James also took an active part in preaching and teaching, both up river in Guildford and also in Perth. James lived on the Peninsula Farm, on Lot 'A'.
Each settler apparently held different ideas of the Swan River seasons and the proper time to plant. Some sowed the seeds of cereals and vegetables early in the autumn, others in May, and still others thought they would be wiser to wait until August and even September. They anxiously watched the results of these experiments, and each farmer carefully scrutinised the crops of his neighbours to see which were faring best. So diverse were soils and seasons from the English, that they knew not what to do.
The 'Burswood Canal' was cut across the Burswood peninsula in 1831, to facilitate transport up the swan River. Burswood Canal was constructed to address the difficulty of navigating shallow water levels particularly around Heirisson island. It was constructed under the direction of engineer Henry Reveley in 1831. Although it was augmented by a system of dykes, it was not entirely satisfactory and was superseded by another canal at Claisebrook in 1839.
Each settler apparently held different ideas of the Swan River seasons and the proper time to plant. Some sowed the seeds of cereals and vegetables early in the autumn, others in May, and still others thought they would be wiser to wait until August and even September. They anxiously watched the results of these experiments, and each farmer carefully scrutinised the crops of his neighbours to see which were faring best. So diverse were soils and seasons from the English, that they knew not what to do.
The 'Burswood Canal' was cut across the Burswood peninsula in 1831, to facilitate transport up the swan River. Burswood Canal was constructed to address the difficulty of navigating shallow water levels particularly around Heirisson island. It was constructed under the direction of engineer Henry Reveley in 1831. Although it was augmented by a system of dykes, it was not entirely satisfactory and was superseded by another canal at Claisebrook in 1839.
The Clarksons and the Avon Valley
The Clarksons had a hand in the discovery and opening up to the Avon River area with James having a hand in the naming of the district..
Click to see: the Story of the discovery and release of land at York and the Avon Valley |
Difficult times in the Colony
Following the opening up and release of the York and Avon Valleys, Michael and James Smith Clarkson were jointly granted Avon Location 'J 'of 18,261 acres. They called the property 'Wilberforce'. Quite likely named after William Wilberforce (b. 1759 – d. 1833). He was a British politician and philanthropist. A supporter of the evangelical wing of the Church of England, and a leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. A native of Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire.
Later, on the 26th September 1831, the Clarksons wrote to Stirling regarding the provision of two soldiers at York for protection against the aboriginals.
The original grants of Fogg[er]thorpe (on the Peninsula) and Wilberforce (Avon) were to both of the brothers jointly, and the later lease of the additional Brockman land, over the river adjoining Wilberforce, was to them both as well.
On 1 July 1832, the first Census was held in the Colony and on the 12th of August, Governor Stirling returned to England to seek more support for the struggling colony.
Later, on the 26th September 1831, the Clarksons wrote to Stirling regarding the provision of two soldiers at York for protection against the aboriginals.
The original grants of Fogg[er]thorpe (on the Peninsula) and Wilberforce (Avon) were to both of the brothers jointly, and the later lease of the additional Brockman land, over the river adjoining Wilberforce, was to them both as well.
On 1 July 1832, the first Census was held in the Colony and on the 12th of August, Governor Stirling returned to England to seek more support for the struggling colony.
1833
The next year, on the 27th of January 1833, the Clarkson brothers were joined, from England, by their younger brother Charles Foster Clarkson and their recently widowed father, Barnard Clarkson. They arrived at Fremantle via the Cygnet. Prominent Methodist George Lazenby and the Hardey brother's younger brother John Hardey, were also on board. |
Later that year, on the 7th of November, James's brother Michael married Jane (Jain) Drummond (born 1831- d.1905). She was the eldest daughter of James Drummond the famed botanist who owned a property just up the Swan River from the Peninsula. Two years later, brother Michael, Jane and family moved over the hills to live on the Wilberforce property with the father, Barnard. They had five sons and two daughters at the time, including Deborah Wilberforce Clarkson (born 1834), who became the wife of Toodyay's resident magistrate Alfred Durlacher, and Barnard Drummond Clarkson (born 1836), the future explorer and Toodyay member of the Legislative Assembly.
The 1st of June 1834 was declared 'Foundation Day' and the first public holiday was observed.
The 1st of June 1834 was declared 'Foundation Day' and the first public holiday was observed.
1836
Barnard Clarkson (the father) died at Wilberforce, near York, in April 1836, and was buried, under a tree, near the cottage, where he lived the past few years, with Michael Clarkson and his family. He had been in the colony for three years.
In 1836, still keeping a link with the Peninsula, the Clarksons acquired the Peninsula Lot 'K' of 18.2 acres, along with the 2-acre Lot 'L' from John Thompson.
By October, younger brother Charles Foster Clarkson was offering Green Fodder for sale at Peninsula Farm. |
1838
It seems the news from England of the coronation of "our gracious Queen Victoria, on the 28th of June 1838", was the all-engrossing topic when the news arrived by ship. "The August ceremonial passed off with great magnificence." reported the local papers. Victoria had turned 18 years on the 24th of May 1837. Less than a month later, on the 20th of June 1837, William IV died at the age of 71, and Victoria became Queen of the United Kingdom. |
On the 17th of February 1838, Peter Brown, the Colonial Secretary, notified the Clarkson Brothers, (and published a notice in the Perth Gazette), that their application for Full Titles for the 205 acres on the Peninsula, (comprising of the Lots 'A', 'B', and 'C') had been granted. |
Then shortly after, under economic stress, the Michael and James Clarkson partnership was dissolved.
James's brother Michael Clarkson later (in 1839) sold his York grant at Wilberforce to a Mr. Edward Hamersley (b. 1810). Hamersley is believed to have established a horse breeding station there. Michael then returned, with his family, back to Peninsula farm on the Swan and worked as a commission agent at Guildford. Michael and Jane were to make many moves during their marriage.
Then shortly after, under economic stress, the Michael and James Clarkson partnership was dissolved.
James's brother Michael Clarkson later (in 1839) sold his York grant at Wilberforce to a Mr. Edward Hamersley (b. 1810). Hamersley is believed to have established a horse breeding station there. Michael then returned, with his family, back to Peninsula farm on the Swan and worked as a commission agent at Guildford. Michael and Jane were to make many moves during their marriage.
James Leaves the Colony of Western Australia
James (still single) advertised in February 1838, that he was 'about to leave' the colony.
Later though, in August, he was selling his stock from the Peninsula Farm. James Smith Clarkson finally did leave the colony, by ship, during 1838, and temporarily lived in the eastern Colonies. James leased out his land on the Peninsula, plus a house in Perth, through George Lazenby. It is not clear how long James was out of the Colony. |
On the 2 March 1837, Michael's younger brother, Charles Foster Clarkson (who came out with his father Barnard Clarkson and stayed on the Peninsula at Foggathorpe) married Hannah Eliza Leeder. She was born on 6th March 1818, and died on the 15th of August 1901 (the suburb of Leederville was named after her father, who was the first settler there). Hannah had arrived from England as a small child in the ship "Rockingham" in 1830.
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Charles & Hannah Clarkson reared a family of seven children, five boys and two girls. Their first child, Elizabeth Smith Clarkson was born the following year, 1838, in Perth.
In 1841, Charles Clarkson re-opened a Store previously occupied by a Mr. Wells and offered items for sale. By 1843, Charles had a town allotment in Bazaar Street, in Perth. Charles was granted a 'Revenue Licence', for a Public House in Perth, on the 1st of April 1843.
By then, older brother Michael Clarkson was farming, with the aid of at least two agricultural labourers (one believed to be Richard Rowland) at Peninsula Farm, until 1844, when Michael and Jane (Jain) moved with five children, over the Darling range to live with her parents (the Drummonds) at 'Hawthornden' near the township of Newcastle (renamed Toodyay in 1911).
In 1841, Charles Clarkson re-opened a Store previously occupied by a Mr. Wells and offered items for sale. By 1843, Charles had a town allotment in Bazaar Street, in Perth. Charles was granted a 'Revenue Licence', for a Public House in Perth, on the 1st of April 1843.
By then, older brother Michael Clarkson was farming, with the aid of at least two agricultural labourers (one believed to be Richard Rowland) at Peninsula Farm, until 1844, when Michael and Jane (Jain) moved with five children, over the Darling range to live with her parents (the Drummonds) at 'Hawthornden' near the township of Newcastle (renamed Toodyay in 1911).
Charles Foster Clarkson was to head to the Victoria goldfields on the 10th of March 1852, aboard the 'Evergreen'. The Evergreen at the time, was owned by a fellow Tranby passenger, George Green.
Charles Foster Clarkson is reported to have died of tuberculosis, on the 16th of December 1853, on the Ballarat goldfields leaving his widow and children in Perth. |
On the 24th of April 1969, Charle's youngest daughter, Hannah Clarkson married Edward Key, of Keysbrook, near Rockingham. They were married at Pinjarrah. (Marriage Reg. 2914/ 1869) Their first child (Mary) arrived the next year, during 1870, at Serpentine. |
In January 1843, James Smith Clarkson was one of the signatories on a letter to the Editor of the Perth Gazette and Western Australian Journal defending the honour of their minister, the Rev. J. Smithies. The alleged attack was from Henry Trigg in an earlier edition of the paper. Other signatories on the letter included fellow Tranby passengers, Joseph Hardey, Marmaduke Hutton and Richard Rowland. |
1850's
On James's return to Fremantle, in January 1854, (on the Struan), James lived and farmed on part of 'Lot A' on the Peninsula Farm. It is believed he grew grapes and made wine on what he called 'Peninsula Cottage Garden'. He may have then been farming on the Peninsula with his younger brother, Charles Foster Clarkson.
James never married and was classed as a 'Gentleman Farmer and Pastoralist'. He also owned a house in Perth.
There was an expectation that James's interest in the Peninsula Farm would pass to the Wesley Church, and that was fulfilled on his death.
James never married and was classed as a 'Gentleman Farmer and Pastoralist'. He also owned a house in Perth.
There was an expectation that James's interest in the Peninsula Farm would pass to the Wesley Church, and that was fulfilled on his death.
1870's - Death of James Smith Clarkson
James Smith Clarkson died on the 20th of December 1872, aged 66 years, at the residence of Richard Watson Hardey, (Joseph & Ann Hardey's son) on the Peninsula. (This was the year after his married brother, Michael Clarkson had died) (Death Reg. No. 6422)
In his will, James left 'Peninsula Cottage Garden', after a life estate, 'to revert to the full benefit of Wesley Methodist Society forever'. He also directed that his Perth house be sold, and the proceeds given to the Wesleyan Chapel. James was buried the next day, at East Perth Cemetery, on the 21st of December 1872, in the Wesleyan section (Grave 64).
The headstone inscription reads:
In his will, James left 'Peninsula Cottage Garden', after a life estate, 'to revert to the full benefit of Wesley Methodist Society forever'. He also directed that his Perth house be sold, and the proceeds given to the Wesleyan Chapel. James was buried the next day, at East Perth Cemetery, on the 21st of December 1872, in the Wesleyan section (Grave 64).
The headstone inscription reads:
Maylands Aerodrome established on Clarkson's original Lot 'A'
1924 Maylands Aerodrome is established With the need to provide Air Mail services, negotiations to acquire land were carried out by Commonwealth Government departments. An area of flat farming ground on the Maylands Peninsular on the Swan River was selected, 131 acres (52 hectares) of approximately rectangular shape being acquired by the Commonwealth Government and Gazetted in November 1923 as the site for Maylands Aerodrome. The purchase was despite the ominous Commonwealth Surveyor's report which was to haunt officialdom for the next 40 years:
"The land is mostly low-lying and during the winter months apparently gets very soft and sticky. The surface is somewhat rough, a great part having been ploughed at one time and cattle grazing over it when wet has cut it up rather badly. There was no surface water at the time of the survey except a little near the North West corner of Lot 532 and that was fast drying up. There are several drains traversing this land which have their greatest depth of two feet near the river." |
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