Michael Clarkson
Michael (Thomas?) Clarkson was born on the 7th June 1804, in Bubwith, Yorkshire. In 1829, he was then the eldest, unmarried son, out of six children. Michael had been educated in Yorkshire and in the tradition of his family, grew up as a farmer. (His older brother Barnard Clarkson (junior) was currently married with a family, heavily committed to Methodism and the natural successor to his father Barnard Clarkson (Senior) in Yorkshire.
He was 25 years old as he prepared to leave England aboard the brig Tranby with his bother James Smith Clarkson.
In early 1829, the two brother's father, Barnard Clarkson (the banker) had chartered the brig, 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."
He was 25 years old as he prepared to leave England aboard the brig Tranby with his bother James Smith Clarkson.
In early 1829, the two brother's father, Barnard Clarkson (the banker) had chartered the brig, 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."
A contemporary newspaper description of the departure of the Tranby from Hull, on Wednesday, 9th of September 1829 is available [Here]
The Tranby sailed via Cape Town arriving in the colony the next year.
The Tranby sailed via Cape Town arriving in the colony the next year.
After Arrival at Fremantle
On Tuesday 2nd of February 1830, at noon, land was sighted. Towards evening the ship was near Garden Island. Their gun was fired as a signal of it's approach. The Tranby rounded Rottnest Island, entered Gage's Road and anchored in Cockburn Sound on the afternoon of 3rd February 1830. Seven months after the first ship had arrived (the Parmelia).
The Tranby folk came ashore and swelled Western Australia's total European population to 1,250. Twenty-five ships had arrived in the Colony before them. Many more than Lieutenant-Governor James Stirling had expected in the six months since he had arrived in the ship Parmelia with its handpicked band of pioneers. In January 1830 alone, nine vessels had arrived. These were the Norfolk, Nancy, Leda, Skerne, Minstrel, Industry, Eagle, Lady of the Lake, and the Wanstead, carrying in all, 242 men, women, and children, 11 horses, 156 cattle, 826 sheep, and about 40 pigs, besides fowls, wine and spirits, and general provisions.
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.
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 near Fremantle, 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 Lieutenant-Governor in the Fremantle township but soon learned that he was then established at a site he had named “Perth” about twelve miles up the Swan River. Certificates of permission to reside in the colony had to be obtained from the Colonial Secretary, without which they were liable to imprisonment. The beach at Fremantle now contained an increased number of tents, and before these lay the newcomers' investments in goods, waiting to be appraised by the authorities to determine the area of land they were entitled to.
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 Lieutenant-Governor in the Fremantle township but soon learned that he was then established at a site he had named “Perth” about twelve miles up the Swan River. Certificates of permission to reside in the colony had to be obtained from the Colonial Secretary, without which they were liable to imprisonment. The beach at Fremantle now contained an increased number of tents, and before these lay the newcomers' investments in goods, waiting to be appraised by the authorities to determine the area of land they were entitled to.
The Swan River Colony
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).
Settling the Peninsula
In 1829, Lieutenant-Governor Stirling had reserved two “peninsulas” on the river, east of Perth, one on either side. 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”.
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”.
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”.
Michael and James Clarkson (acting as a partnership) were entitled to 18,466 acres in the Colony, their goods being worth, according to meticulously prepared account, £1,384; 10 s; 11¼ d. They took up part of their first entitlements as land on the Peninsula on Lots: 'A' (both sections: 172.2 acres), 'B' of 20 acres, and 'C' of 12.2 acres, until further suitable land could be allocated further from the Swan River. |
Doctor Thomas Brownell wrote at the time: "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. "
On the other hand, the road from Fremantle to Perth was heavy sand, making transport of goods and chattels difficult and costly. In removing goods to their selections large prices were paid for labour. The general rate of wages for labourers was eight shillings a day—an enormous advance on English prices, but not abnormal when the surroundings were taken into consideration. There was a most unfortunate absence of skilled labour, hence the rustic attempts at building and carpentering. So high were wages in comparison with those at home, that most indentured servants wished to be free in order to obtain precarious employment here and there. In fact, their sons from ten to fourteen years old, who were not indentured, repeatedly earned more in a month than they did.
Five guineas a day had often to be paid for boats used in the river to carry goods and stores to the holdings. This was a severe strain on pioneer purses and those who were lucky enough to own boats conducted lucrative businesses. Some settlers had to keep the boats for days before they could transport all their property, and when contrary winds were met, which was frequent, they experienced much difficulty in getting the heavily burdened boats up and down the river. Many hours were often vainly spent making a few yards headway or in releasing the boats from the mud-banks which abounded. So necessary were boats that in the first few months ingenious settlers contrived to make them out of native wood. In the absence of proper tool their task was not easy; but though the boats were rudely carved they served their purpose excellently, and turned in lucrative profits. Flat-bottomed boats were usually constructed, to navigate the shallow parts of the river.
The Hardeys, Clarksons and others in their party set about and built a floating "flat", using a mixture of local timber and part of the Tranby's middle deck that they had purchased. And so, on February 24th some of the party left the struggling settlement of Fremantle to row, pull and push it up river to the Peninsula east of Perth. Once unloaded, the flat was returned to Fremantle on March 1st and that night was "set adrift by some unknown". It was never recovered, and four days later the band set to work to build another one. On Saturday May 1st, the Hardeys left Fremantle. The next day being the Sabbath and a day of rest, they "camped under Mount Eliza". With this floating flat, they transferred their possessions from Fremantle, to the Peninsula Farm, by river.
On the other hand, the road from Fremantle to Perth was heavy sand, making transport of goods and chattels difficult and costly. In removing goods to their selections large prices were paid for labour. The general rate of wages for labourers was eight shillings a day—an enormous advance on English prices, but not abnormal when the surroundings were taken into consideration. There was a most unfortunate absence of skilled labour, hence the rustic attempts at building and carpentering. So high were wages in comparison with those at home, that most indentured servants wished to be free in order to obtain precarious employment here and there. In fact, their sons from ten to fourteen years old, who were not indentured, repeatedly earned more in a month than they did.
Five guineas a day had often to be paid for boats used in the river to carry goods and stores to the holdings. This was a severe strain on pioneer purses and those who were lucky enough to own boats conducted lucrative businesses. Some settlers had to keep the boats for days before they could transport all their property, and when contrary winds were met, which was frequent, they experienced much difficulty in getting the heavily burdened boats up and down the river. Many hours were often vainly spent making a few yards headway or in releasing the boats from the mud-banks which abounded. So necessary were boats that in the first few months ingenious settlers contrived to make them out of native wood. In the absence of proper tool their task was not easy; but though the boats were rudely carved they served their purpose excellently, and turned in lucrative profits. Flat-bottomed boats were usually constructed, to navigate the shallow parts of the river.
The Hardeys, Clarksons and others in their party set about and built a floating "flat", using a mixture of local timber and part of the Tranby's middle deck that they had purchased. And so, on February 24th some of the party left the struggling settlement of Fremantle to row, pull and push it up river to the Peninsula east of Perth. Once unloaded, the flat was returned to Fremantle on March 1st and that night was "set adrift by some unknown". It was never recovered, and four days later the band set to work to build another one. On Saturday May 1st, the Hardeys left Fremantle. The next day being the Sabbath and a day of rest, they "camped under Mount Eliza". With this floating flat, they transferred their possessions from Fremantle, to the Peninsula Farm, by river.
The brig “Tranby” departed from Gage Roads, for Batavia, on the 27th February 1830, having stayed in port for three weeks.
The first six months on the Peninsula farm, as recorded in Hardey's diary, were spent clearing the land, sowing cereals (including wheat, barley, oats and rye) and vegetables. Hardey reports, "... all came up well, but the fences not being sufficiently good the cattle broke in and destroyed a great part of the crop; that which escaped their ravages came to maturity, and was of a very good description".
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.
Severe storms burst over the Darling Ranges, the Swan River country, and the coast, in May / June, 1830, and the waters in the upper parts of the river rose phenomenally high. The rains of 1830 were particularly heavy, so much so that the river overflowed its banks and brought considerable loss and damage to those who were temporarily residing on the Fremantle flats waiting for their grants, and others such as the Clarksons and the Hardeys who had elected to build permanent homes on the lower levels .
The shipping at Fremantle also suffered in no small degree. Four vessels broke loose from their moorings and were driven ashore, one of them, the Rockingham, become a total wreck on that part of the coast that has since borne the name .
Following the heavy rain and flood in July 1830 some considerable time was spent rebuilding houses that were lost on the Peninsula.
The Swan River did not prove to be the Garden of Eden which many of the early settlers had been led to expect. the highly praised soil proved to be sand which resisted efforts to be made productive, while the heat, flies and fleas of their first summer soon disillusioned the colonists. The settlers experimented a great deal with sowing grain crops at different times to find the ideal month.
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.
Severe storms burst over the Darling Ranges, the Swan River country, and the coast, in May / June, 1830, and the waters in the upper parts of the river rose phenomenally high. The rains of 1830 were particularly heavy, so much so that the river overflowed its banks and brought considerable loss and damage to those who were temporarily residing on the Fremantle flats waiting for their grants, and others such as the Clarksons and the Hardeys who had elected to build permanent homes on the lower levels .
The shipping at Fremantle also suffered in no small degree. Four vessels broke loose from their moorings and were driven ashore, one of them, the Rockingham, become a total wreck on that part of the coast that has since borne the name .
Following the heavy rain and flood in July 1830 some considerable time was spent rebuilding houses that were lost on the Peninsula.
The Swan River did not prove to be the Garden of Eden which many of the early settlers had been led to expect. the highly praised soil proved to be sand which resisted efforts to be made productive, while the heat, flies and fleas of their first summer soon disillusioned the colonists. The settlers experimented a great deal with sowing grain crops at different times to find the ideal month.
The boundaries of settlement were meanwhile greatly extended. On 3rd March 1830 Captain James Stirling, with Surveyor-General John Septimus Roe, a few experienced and practical settlers, and a detachment of the 63rd Regiment, left Fremantle in the schooner Eagle for the scenes of the explorations of Messrs. Collie and Preston. The special mission was to establish a new settlement. After examining the whole extent of coast of Geographe Bay, the party anchored about two miles inside of Cape Naturaliste, and spent nearly two days exploring the neighbouring country. Considerable good land was found in the valleys. At the Vasse River the country was observed to be particularly sandy, yet the straight and vigorous growth of the trees hinted at the quality of the soil. But it did not satisfy them, and they went to Port Leschenault, which was decided to be the most favourable site for a settlement. On the 6th of March, a military station was established at Port Leschenault, and the first white people took up a temporary residence near Bunbury. At about the same time the country near King George's Sound was named the Plantaganet County.
Building was actively continuing in Perth, and brick and weatherboard residences dotted the slopes, mostly at first in St. George's Terrace. On 15th June 1830, the first Colonial hospital in Perth opened. Several hospitals, some very temporary, opened and closed at various locations during the 1830s and 40s, mainly because of the precarious state of the Colony’s finances.
Building was actively continuing in Perth, and brick and weatherboard residences dotted the slopes, mostly at first in St. George's Terrace. On 15th June 1830, the first Colonial hospital in Perth opened. Several hospitals, some very temporary, opened and closed at various locations during the 1830s and 40s, mainly because of the precarious state of the Colony’s finances.
Over the Hills
The discovery and opening up of new land became one of the most pressing problems, for most of the good land areas near the Swan, Canning and Helena Rivers were rapidly claimed by the early settlers. Exploration work was now energetically carried on, and officers of the Army and Navy eagerly followed this interesting occupation.
The Clarkson brothers participated in the discovery, naming, and settlement of the Avon River and the Yorkshire district. [Click here for more Details]
The Clarkson brothers participated in the discovery, naming, and settlement of the Avon River and the Yorkshire district. [Click here for more Details]
Michael and James Smith Clarkson together were granted AVON Location J of 18,261 acres in the Northam District on the 28th December 1830, and they called it '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. Fellow Tranby passengers, John and Joseph Hardey were granted 1,163 acres. By the end of 1830, over a million acres had been granted in the colony, though less than 200 acres were in cultivation.
By the end of 1830, the colony had extended its boundaries to include (apart from the military station at King George's Sound, which still remained under the Government of New South Wales) settlements at Swan River, Port Leschenault, Guildford, and Augusta, in addition to which areas of land had been assigned in Plantagenet County and in the York-Beverley district. In most of these places little work had been done, but marked progress had been made in Perth and on the holdings along the Swan, Helena, and Canning Rivers, though as yet the returns were insufficient to provide for the sustenance of the community without importing provisions.
Fremantle had made but little advance. At the end of the year, it was still practically a camp, and though there were many good citizens who were straining every nerve to develop their properties and improve the condition of things generally, a great part of the inhabitants were of the class that is always afraid of work and particularly loud in expressing disappointment and dissatisfaction. A number of these, most of whom were utterly incompetent as settlers, and some of whom held grants of land, left the colony during the latter half of the year, either abandoning their holdings or arranging for incoming settlers to take them up.
By the end of 1830, the colony had extended its boundaries to include (apart from the military station at King George's Sound, which still remained under the Government of New South Wales) settlements at Swan River, Port Leschenault, Guildford, and Augusta, in addition to which areas of land had been assigned in Plantagenet County and in the York-Beverley district. In most of these places little work had been done, but marked progress had been made in Perth and on the holdings along the Swan, Helena, and Canning Rivers, though as yet the returns were insufficient to provide for the sustenance of the community without importing provisions.
Fremantle had made but little advance. At the end of the year, it was still practically a camp, and though there were many good citizens who were straining every nerve to develop their properties and improve the condition of things generally, a great part of the inhabitants were of the class that is always afraid of work and particularly loud in expressing disappointment and dissatisfaction. A number of these, most of whom were utterly incompetent as settlers, and some of whom held grants of land, left the colony during the latter half of the year, either abandoning their holdings or arranging for incoming settlers to take them up.
1831
In the meantime, the development of 'Foggathorpe' (on the Peninsula Farm) and the planning for 'Wilberforce' continued. For instance, on the 11th of February 1831, the Clarkson brothers struck an agreement with the Lieutenant-Governor to supply the Government with 20 gross of fine quality wheat at Perth, in the first quarter of 1832 at a price above 18/- a bushel. Later, on the 26th of September 1831, the Clarksons wrote to Stirling regarding the provision of two soldiers at York for protection against the aboriginals. The crops of 1831-2 gave renewed encouragement to the farmers. The farmers, watched daily for devastating storms and floods similar to last year which never came. In October the fields looked promising, and in the harvest, while there were some failures, the general returns were satisfactory and encouraging.
'Fredrickstown' becomes 'Albany' as Western Australia takes over control from New South Wales, on the 7th of March 1831. The convicts that were stationed there were withdrawn back to NSW.
During this period, Michael took an active part in community affairs. In 1831, The Westralian Agricultural Society was formed in Perth and two years later, he was elected one of the Directors and held that position until 1835. which should at once disseminate useful information among agriculturists and watch over the general interests of the agricultural and pastoral industries. This institution proved useful, and at the regular meetings, which were held four times a year, members were brought together to discuss all-important matters relating to the settlement.
The first Governor's ball was given at Government House, Perth, on September 2, 1831, and was attended by a fashionable and spontaneously happy assembly. Such entertainments had long been unknown to the settlers, and dancing continued until six in the morning. A meeting of the Agricultural Society was held earlier in the day, when a petition to the English Government was read and approved of. A banquet followed prior the meeting to the evening's entertainment.
'Fredrickstown' becomes 'Albany' as Western Australia takes over control from New South Wales, on the 7th of March 1831. The convicts that were stationed there were withdrawn back to NSW.
During this period, Michael took an active part in community affairs. In 1831, The Westralian Agricultural Society was formed in Perth and two years later, he was elected one of the Directors and held that position until 1835. which should at once disseminate useful information among agriculturists and watch over the general interests of the agricultural and pastoral industries. This institution proved useful, and at the regular meetings, which were held four times a year, members were brought together to discuss all-important matters relating to the settlement.
The first Governor's ball was given at Government House, Perth, on September 2, 1831, and was attended by a fashionable and spontaneously happy assembly. Such entertainments had long been unknown to the settlers, and dancing continued until six in the morning. A meeting of the Agricultural Society was held earlier in the day, when a petition to the English Government was read and approved of. A banquet followed prior the meeting to the evening's entertainment.
1832
The Clarkson brother's mother, now aged abut 57 years, Elizabeth Clarkson (nee Smith) died in Birkin, in Yorkshire, during May 1832. News of her death would have taken months to arrive to her sons in Western Australia. Later, on the 1st July 1832, the first Census was held in the Colony.
In August 1832, Governor Stirling and his family departed for England to seek more support for the colony and Captain Frederick Irwin from the Regiment, was left in charge. Captain Stirling remained in England throughout 1833, and judging from letters to local people hoped his advocacy would be heard. Captain Irwin occupied the position of Lieutenant-Governor until September, when he left for England, and Captain Richard Daniel was sworn into the office in the same month.
The end of 1832 also marked the end of the original land grant system. The decision, to abolish grants and substitute land sales only, had been reached in March 1831 and applied in Western Australia from January 1832 onwards. All lands in the colony not hitherto granted and not appropriated for public purposes were put up for sale. The price depended on the quality and the location of the land but was never to be below 5/- an acre.
In August 1832, Governor Stirling and his family departed for England to seek more support for the colony and Captain Frederick Irwin from the Regiment, was left in charge. Captain Stirling remained in England throughout 1833, and judging from letters to local people hoped his advocacy would be heard. Captain Irwin occupied the position of Lieutenant-Governor until September, when he left for England, and Captain Richard Daniel was sworn into the office in the same month.
The end of 1832 also marked the end of the original land grant system. The decision, to abolish grants and substitute land sales only, had been reached in March 1831 and applied in Western Australia from January 1832 onwards. All lands in the colony not hitherto granted and not appropriated for public purposes were put up for sale. The price depended on the quality and the location of the land but was never to be below 5/- an acre.
1833
On the 27th of January 1833, the two Clarkson brothers were joined, from England, by their younger brother, Charles Foster Clarkson (born on the 12th of May 1812, and now 21 years old) along with their recently widowed father, Barnard Clarkson (then aged 59 years). They had arrived on the Cygnet, a vessel that carried 43 passengers. Methodists on board included Mr George Shenton, Mr George Lazenby and Mr John Hardey. (Joseph Hardey's Uncle)
Barnard Clarkson was to become one of the Methodist leaders in the Colony.
Every Sunday, a service was held at the Peninsula Farm and in addition, Barnard journeyed to Guildford, four miles away, to speak to the congregation there and to conduct a Sunday School. He with his sons, Charles and James, conducted evening services at the first Methodist chapel which opened in Murray Street, on 22 June 1834.
Mails were carried between Fremantle and Perth by boats, but in 1833 a runner was engaged, who was expected to carry them from one place to another. Post offices were generally conducted by merchants in their stores. On the 19th of September 1833, Barnard Clarkson wrote to a friend George Flint, at Market Weighton, England. He described the pleasant life on Peninsula Farm. (SLWA Call Number ACC 4175A)
Barnard Clarkson was to become one of the Methodist leaders in the Colony.
Every Sunday, a service was held at the Peninsula Farm and in addition, Barnard journeyed to Guildford, four miles away, to speak to the congregation there and to conduct a Sunday School. He with his sons, Charles and James, conducted evening services at the first Methodist chapel which opened in Murray Street, on 22 June 1834.
Mails were carried between Fremantle and Perth by boats, but in 1833 a runner was engaged, who was expected to carry them from one place to another. Post offices were generally conducted by merchants in their stores. On the 19th of September 1833, Barnard Clarkson wrote to a friend George Flint, at Market Weighton, England. He described the pleasant life on Peninsula Farm. (SLWA Call Number ACC 4175A)
On the 7th of November 1833, Michael married Jane (Jain) Drummond (born in Cork, Ireland, during 1813 - died 1905). Jain was the eldest daughter of James Drummond the well-known Government Botanist, who had a property along the Swan from the Peninsula, and a grant at Helena Valley. Jain had arrived, aged 16 years old, with her parents and siblings, aboard the Parmelia in 1829. Jain was one of six children.
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Later, that month, on the 30th of November 1833, the Perth Gazette reported that:
"Mr Clarkson of the Peninsula has reaped his barley more than a fortnight ago and is now cutting a fine crop of rye."
In September 1833, a garrison of eight troops of the 21st Royal North British Fusiliers of Foot was stationed at York. Rules and regulations for the assignment of town allotments at York were gazetted in September 1834 and allotments were advertised for sale from July 1835. A township did not begin to appear until 1836. In July 1836, York comprised two houses, a barn, an army barracks and some out-houses, with about 50 acres of cleared land. Over twenty vessels arrived at the colony in 1833, landing under a hundred persons, and cargo valued at nearly fifty thousand pounds.
1834
On the 15th of April 1834, Barnard Clarkson wrote a letter to Mr William Bell, an Oil Merchant, care of Mrs. B. Clarkson, in Hull, England. He described the daily life, mentions grasshoppers, ants, snakes and produce: “Peaches are very fine and productive”, “whale fishing… is a profitable concern”; and requests “A few of the Hull papers would be very acceptable… “(SLWA Call Number ACC 8641A OSM)
In November 1834, Sir James Stirling, who had returned from England, accompanied by Captain Blackwood, visited York in order to observe what advance had been made in that settlement. He was so well pleased that upon his return he appointed a Government Resident at York and encouraged people to more enterprise in stocking their pastoral stations.
The 1st of June was declared as Foundation Day and observed as a Public Holiday for the first time in 1834.
In November 1834, Sir James Stirling, who had returned from England, accompanied by Captain Blackwood, visited York in order to observe what advance had been made in that settlement. He was so well pleased that upon his return he appointed a Government Resident at York and encouraged people to more enterprise in stocking their pastoral stations.
The 1st of June was declared as Foundation Day and observed as a Public Holiday for the first time in 1834.
Twelve months after they were married, Michael and Jane's first daughter, Deborah Wilberforce Clarkson was born, on the Peninsula Farm, on the 8th November 1834. She was baptised, in Perth, on the 21st of November 1834.
In July, Michael Clarkson re-hired his former servant Henry Reeves and two men more in August. The labour was required and there ware many un-employed men but, like many land owners in the Colony, Michael had little cash to pay them. The Government set out to help the Landowners by issuing the men with the equivalent of 900 grams of meat, and 450 grams of bread, per man, per day on the understanding that the employers would repay the rations, in kind, after the harvest was over.
Also, during 1834, the colony exported its first wool shipment to England.
In September, 1835, the Governor again went across the Darling Ranges to the valleys of the Avon and into the surrounding country. He calculated that he examined over 300 square miles of prime grazing ground, and this announcement caused an additional leaning towards pastoral pursuits over the hills.
On the 7th August 1835, Michael Clarkson was re-elected a Director of the Western Australian Agricultural Society, along with John Hardey.
In 1836, James Drummond (the botanist, Jane's father) exchanged his grant on the Helena Valley (near Guildford) for land in the Avon Valley. Settling at Toodyay, the Drummonds established a homestead which they named Hawthornden after Drummond's ancestral seat. By February 1838, the homestead was sufficiently established for Drummond's wife and daughter to join them. Initially, Drummond worked hard to establish his farm, but later this was increasingly taken over by his sons Thomas and James Drummond.
Also, during 1834, the colony exported its first wool shipment to England.
In September, 1835, the Governor again went across the Darling Ranges to the valleys of the Avon and into the surrounding country. He calculated that he examined over 300 square miles of prime grazing ground, and this announcement caused an additional leaning towards pastoral pursuits over the hills.
On the 7th August 1835, Michael Clarkson was re-elected a Director of the Western Australian Agricultural Society, along with John Hardey.
In 1836, James Drummond (the botanist, Jane's father) exchanged his grant on the Helena Valley (near Guildford) for land in the Avon Valley. Settling at Toodyay, the Drummonds established a homestead which they named Hawthornden after Drummond's ancestral seat. By February 1838, the homestead was sufficiently established for Drummond's wife and daughter to join them. Initially, Drummond worked hard to establish his farm, but later this was increasingly taken over by his sons Thomas and James Drummond.
Also in 1836, Michael and Jane Clarkson and their children moved to the south Northam grant Wilberforce on the upper reaches of the Avon River. Michael's father Barnard Clarkson accompanied them. Brothers James Clarkson and Charles Clarkson remained at Peninsula Farm. Michael built a mud and brick cottage on the side of a hill above the Avon River on the Wilberforce property, He sank a well near the cottage and planted vines and fig trees. Pastoralism and in particular, the grazing of sheep, became the major activity in the new areas over the hills in the 1830's and remained so into the next decade.
Jane and Michael's first son, Barnard Drummond Clarkson was born on Wilberforce, at York, on the 11th of December 1836. He was baptised, in Perth, on the 16th March 1837, with the same first name as his grandfather, and his great grandfather.
Jane and Michael's first son, Barnard Drummond Clarkson was born on Wilberforce, at York, on the 11th of December 1836. He was baptised, in Perth, on the 16th March 1837, with the same first name as his grandfather, and his great grandfather.
The Clarkson Family and Descendants
Barnard Clarkson Senior (the former Banker and father of Michael and James) died, at Wilberforce on the 13th April 1836, and was buried, under a tree, near the cottage, where he had lived the past few years, with Michael and his family. Barnard had been in the colony for three years.
In 1836, Michael and James leased Mr W. L. Brockman's grant Location 'f' at 'Woodside'. This grant was seven miles from the township of York. This was of 16,000 acres, and directly on the opposite side of the Avon River from Location 'J' 'Wilberforce' .
Michael engaged a shepherd and herdsman of good experience who had 400 sheep in their charge. Most shepherds worked by themselves for almost all of the year, taking care of a flock that might be as large as one thousand sheep though six or seven hundred was more the usual number. To assist him in his work he usually kept several sheepdogs. Shepherds lived in tents or roughly constructed, temporary huts.
By the end of the thirties the major sheep areas lay between Toodyay in the north and Beverly in the south. In the next decade flocks were moved northwards from the Avon valley to the Victoria Plains and Moore river and southwards to the Dale, Hotham, Williams and Arthur rivers.
In 1836, the Clarkson brothers (James and Charles were still living on the Swan) acquired the Peninsula Location K, plus the smaller Lot L, up the River, from John Thompson (who had gone to York as well). They sold the southern Location L to their former employee, Richard Rowland during 1845, and Location K, to Joseph Hardey in 1851.
Few settlers entered Western Australia in 1836.
Michael engaged a shepherd and herdsman of good experience who had 400 sheep in their charge. Most shepherds worked by themselves for almost all of the year, taking care of a flock that might be as large as one thousand sheep though six or seven hundred was more the usual number. To assist him in his work he usually kept several sheepdogs. Shepherds lived in tents or roughly constructed, temporary huts.
By the end of the thirties the major sheep areas lay between Toodyay in the north and Beverly in the south. In the next decade flocks were moved northwards from the Avon valley to the Victoria Plains and Moore river and southwards to the Dale, Hotham, Williams and Arthur rivers.
In 1836, the Clarkson brothers (James and Charles were still living on the Swan) acquired the Peninsula Location K, plus the smaller Lot L, up the River, from John Thompson (who had gone to York as well). They sold the southern Location L to their former employee, Richard Rowland during 1845, and Location K, to Joseph Hardey in 1851.
Few settlers entered Western Australia in 1836.
1837
The economic conditions in the early years of the colony were generally harsh. The prices for primary products, especially wool fell considerably. Eventually the position at Wilberforce became untenable. Briefly, in the existing economic conditions, Michael was running Wilberforce and Woodside, over 34,000 acres, with insufficient labour and only 600 sheep. The Colony's population in 1837 was given as males, 1,344; females, 688; total, 2,032, or an approximate ratio of two males to one female.
York was now a thriving settlement, and in 1837 there were estimated to be between thirty and forty settlers scattered over the district. The Clarksons and the Hardeys ran their flocks over a large estate named Wilberforce, which, had been selected when James Stirling made his first visit to the district, and comprised 18,000 acres. The busiest times of the year for shepherds and flock masters were those of lambing and shearing. Lambing took place in autumn and shearing was done in spring. Shearing was done by hand clippers, a slow process, for even ' gun' shearers could manage few more than thirty a day. Landowners on the Swan often sent their flocks to the Avon when numbers increased beyond the capacity of their properties.
On the 1st of June 1837, the Bank of Western Australia (BWA) is established by prominent local businessmen including George Leake as its first chairman; the benefits to the Colony were immediate and pronounced.
Michael's single brother, James Smith Clarkson left the Swan River Colony, by ship, in 1836 and temporarily went to the eastern Colonies (Ballarat?). In November 1837, the partnership between Michael and brother James was officially dissolved presumably because James was not planning to return.
On the 2nd of March 1837, Michael's younger brother, Charles Foster Clarkson (who came out with his father Barnard Clarkson). married the 19-year-old Hannah Eliza Leeder, [born on the 6th of March 1818, in Suffolk, UK. she died 15th August 1901] (the suburb of Leederville was named after her father, who was the first settler there). She had arrived from England, as a small child, in the ship "Rockingham" in 1830. Charles and Hannah reared a family of seven children, five boys and two girls. Their first child, Elizabeth Smith Clarkson was born the following year, on the 1st of January 1838, in Perth.
On October 2nd, 1837, Governor James Stirling forwarded his resignation, although he continued to administer the colony until December 1838. Progress was slow due to fewer settlers, lack of financial assistance and labourers. In early 1837, a petition was presented to the Governor asking him to recommend changes in the land regulations to the British Government. The settlers expressed the belief that the land sale system had checked immigration. The petition was forwarded. The response of the British Government was to raise the minimum price of land in all Australian colonies to 12/- an acre, a price which was to operate in Western Australia from July 1840. About 600 acres were placed under crop in Western Australia in 1838.
York was now a thriving settlement, and in 1837 there were estimated to be between thirty and forty settlers scattered over the district. The Clarksons and the Hardeys ran their flocks over a large estate named Wilberforce, which, had been selected when James Stirling made his first visit to the district, and comprised 18,000 acres. The busiest times of the year for shepherds and flock masters were those of lambing and shearing. Lambing took place in autumn and shearing was done in spring. Shearing was done by hand clippers, a slow process, for even ' gun' shearers could manage few more than thirty a day. Landowners on the Swan often sent their flocks to the Avon when numbers increased beyond the capacity of their properties.
On the 1st of June 1837, the Bank of Western Australia (BWA) is established by prominent local businessmen including George Leake as its first chairman; the benefits to the Colony were immediate and pronounced.
Michael's single brother, James Smith Clarkson left the Swan River Colony, by ship, in 1836 and temporarily went to the eastern Colonies (Ballarat?). In November 1837, the partnership between Michael and brother James was officially dissolved presumably because James was not planning to return.
On the 2nd of March 1837, Michael's younger brother, Charles Foster Clarkson (who came out with his father Barnard Clarkson). married the 19-year-old Hannah Eliza Leeder, [born on the 6th of March 1818, in Suffolk, UK. she died 15th August 1901] (the suburb of Leederville was named after her father, who was the first settler there). She had arrived from England, as a small child, in the ship "Rockingham" in 1830. Charles and Hannah reared a family of seven children, five boys and two girls. Their first child, Elizabeth Smith Clarkson was born the following year, on the 1st of January 1838, in Perth.
On October 2nd, 1837, Governor James Stirling forwarded his resignation, although he continued to administer the colony until December 1838. Progress was slow due to fewer settlers, lack of financial assistance and labourers. In early 1837, a petition was presented to the Governor asking him to recommend changes in the land regulations to the British Government. The settlers expressed the belief that the land sale system had checked immigration. The petition was forwarded. The response of the British Government was to raise the minimum price of land in all Australian colonies to 12/- an acre, a price which was to operate in Western Australia from July 1840. About 600 acres were placed under crop in Western Australia in 1838.
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. |
1839
Michael Clarkson sold his Avon grant 'J' at Wilberforce, two-year later during 1839, to Mr. Edward Hamersley for a very low 2/6 an acre (at half the government sales rate established in 1832, and much lower than the 12/- acre which was to come into force for new land, the next year). Michael returned to Peninsula farm with his wife and three children, where his brother, Charles Foster Clarkson was farming.
Michael and Jane's son, James Smith Clarkson was born on the Peninsula, on 11th April 1839. He was named after his unmarried uncle.
He was then baptised on the 29th of April 1839. |
Michael then commenced a business as a Commission Agent, at Guildford. He obtained labourers and domestic servants for the public, the candidates coming from immigrant ships which arrived at Fremantle from England.
There is no doubt that the continuing bad publicity and the changes in the land regulations both contributed significantly to the failure of the colony to attract new migrants. Settlers came to believe that the shortage of labour was their single main problem.
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