How We Grew - the 1820s
When the Newcastle penal settlement was moved further north to Port Macquarie in 1823, there was no longer any restriction on settlement and settlers flocked to the rich pastures of the Hunter area.
The Reverend Lancelot Threlkeld commenced his mission at Bahtahbah (Swansea) in 1826 amid wide community concern regarding the deprivation experienced by the aborigines since European settlement.
In 1826 Lieutenant Percy Simpson selected 2,000 acres at Cooranbong in Coorumbung Parish. He lived on the grant from 1826 until 1828 and then left an assigned servant, Moses Carroll, as overseer.
A detailed survey of Lake Macquarie was undertaken by James Ralfe in 1829-1830.
Reference
Clouten, Keith 1967, Reid's mistake : the story of Lake Macquarie from its discovery until 1890, Lake Macquarie Shire Council, [Speers Point, N.S.W.]
Nilson, Laurie & Leis, Susan & Noble, Rodney & Lake Macquarie (N.S.W.). Council 1985, Lake Macquarie : past and present, Lake Macquarie City Council, [Boolaroo, N.S.W.]
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