"Muntham" Station & Edward HENTY (1810-1878)

1840, April : The HENTYs make a route through the stringy bark forest.

PORTLAND BAY.

A gentleman who has lately arrived from the recently located district of Portland Bay, has communicated to us a few interesting points of information, by which it appears that a very beautiful and fertile spot of country surrounds the site of the future township, limited however to a circle of a few miles.
A stringy bark forest of forty miles in extent forms a belt between the port and the rich grazing lands beyond. The Messrs. Henty have succeeded in making a line of communication through this hitherto unattempted space of country, but have found thut a scarcity of water increases the difficulties of the route.
Two water courses, consisting of a succession of water holes, intersect the forest at a distance of nearly fifteen miles the one from the other. Care must be taken by the traveller to ascertain the exact position of these, for failing this supply, no other water will be discovered.
Previous to the departure of our informant, the surveyors had laid out one hundred and sixty lots of land ; several parties had arrived overland, ready to make every advantage which an incipient trade might afford them and to disseminate by their industry a portion of that good fortune which has been so strikingly displayed in the establishment of Melbourne. By a fair calculation, the number of sheep already located in the district might be computed at sixty thousand. Several herds of cattle had also arrived to enrich the products of the place ; and no less than twelve new settlers, gentlemen of considerable property, had taken up their residence on the rich pastures of the Wannon and Glenelg.-Port Phillip Gazette, April 1.

Source : "The Southern Australian" (Adelaide, SA) Thursday, 23rd April 1840.

1841 : Hugh GLANCY at "Muntham"

Early Mount Gambier.--Mr. E. Crouch writes thus to the "Watch" :--I read with interest the account you gave of Moorak, and it might interest you to know that on the 9th February, 1908, I met Mr. Hugh Glancy in the Carlton Gardens, Melbourne, and he spoke of the early days, and mentioned that it was the anniversary of his landing at Melbourne on 9th, of February, 1841. So I asked him if I might jot down a few notes in a pocket book, which I have just found. Glancy said James Smeyd went from Muntham in 1841, to see a hill he was able to sight, from one of the high points about Casterton, and this turned out to be Mount Gambier. He rode up by himself, and on his return reported what he had seen to Mr. Edward Henty, who went back with Smeyd, and took up the country, On their return Mr. E. Henty sent up Jim Smeyd, Joe Frost, Jim McCoy, and Paddy Hand (cook), with a mob of heifers, and camped in the valley, between the lakes, near the island in the Valley Lake. Mr. E. Henty applied for a licence to occupy the Mount Gambier country from the New South Wales Government, and when a survey was made it was found the run was in South Australia, Mr. Sturt then took up the run from the South Australian Government, and Henty had to go. Jeff went up later from Muntham. Glancy was at Muntham in 1841. Hastings Cunningham sold the land to A. Mitchell"

Source : "The Portland Guardian" (Vic.) Wednesday, 5th April 1911.

1842, October : Permission to occupy lands near Mounts Schank and Gambia, SA.

PORTLAND BAY. The South Australian government has granted permission to Messrs. Henty to occupy a rich tract of land recently discovered near Mounts Schank and Gambia.

Source : "Launceston Examiner" (Tas.) Saturday, 8th October 1842.

1843, February : Petty Sessions to be held 1st Monday each month at "Muntham"

NOTICE. THE Police Magistrate at the Grange requests the settlers of the Glenelg, and their servants and others to take notice, that he will hold a petty session at the residence of Edward Henty, Esq., J.P., Muntham, on tile first Monday in each month, commencing the month of February. Grange, Dec. 18, 1842.

1844 : William WESTGARTH visited "Muntham"

In his book, "Early Melbourne," the late Mr. William Westgarth, in describing his visit to the western district in 1844, says:--"When I came down upon the Wannon in continuous admiration of the rolling hills on either side, grass-covered to the very top, as evening drew on, causing me to be on the alert for quarters, I espied a rather pretentious homestead cosily placed in a sheltered spot half-way up the hillside. This proved to be Mr. Edward Henty's. He it was who first entered the future Victoria in 1834 by her remote portal Portland Bay, and thus became the founder of the colony. Mr. Henty was not at home, but happily Mrs. Henty was. Young, ladylike, beautiful, she received me with that high courtesy which puts one at ease by the flattering impression that in this squatting solitude it is rather the visited than the visitor who are the obliged parties."

1844, March : George BRAY captured by Border Police at "Muntham"

COMMITTAL.--On Thursday last, a man named George Bray or Bailey, was committed to take his trial for shooting at an old man named Patrick Sullivan, at the Fiery Creek, near Mount William. It appeared that Sullivan was on horseback, when he met the prisoner with a carbine in his hand, who called upon him to dismount. Sullivan thought that Bray was only making fun with him, so he only laughed at him, and would not dismount. Bray then fired his piece loaded with buckshot at Sullivan, the contents of which struck him in the eyes. Bray then ordered him to go on his knees, as he intended to shoot till he was dead. Sullivan begged him to spare his life, and promised faithfully that he would never repeat what had happened ; but say that he had been hurt by the horse having buck-jumped. Bray after considering a little, said that he would not take his life, if he kept his promise. They then travelled along the road together, and Bray with the greatest effrontery imaginable, walked into the public house in company with Sullivan, whose face was all streaming with blood. One of the bystanders remarked that it must have been done by a shot, which was stoutly denied. After having had something to eat and drink, Bray took his departure, and soon afterwards Sullivan told the whole of what had happened ; a number of parties started in pursuit, but the ruffian was nowhere to be found. He was tracked, however, upwards of 80 miles by a party of Border Police, and ultimately captured on the station of the Messrs. Henty on the Glenelg. Sullivan has never recovered the use of one of his eyes.

Source : The Geelong Advertiser" (Vic.) Monday, 1st April 1844.

1845 : James MALLETT at "Muntham"

"Mr. Jas. MALLETT - In 1834 Jas. MALLETT was born at Derwent, Tasmania, and came to Portland in the ship Minerva. At the age of eleven he went direct to Muntham. After a few years he went to Portland to learn the boot trade. After serving his apprenticeship, he returned to Muntham for a few years. In 1856 at St. Stephen's Portland he married Eliza SEABORN. This was the first marriage celebrated in that church, His wife was born in Adelaide in 1838, her parents having come from Devonshire, England in 1836, in the ship Tam-O'Shanter (Captain GILLIES in charge). In 18__ he moved to Portland. Mr & Mrs MALLETT lived at Mt Clay, near Narrawong, for a few years, finally settling at Merino in 1865, where he started boot making. He continued till the time of his death in 1901. He reached the age of 67 years, and his wife lived to the age of 94 years and passed away in Portland in 1932."

1845, October : Absconders from Edward HENTY of "Muntham"

The History of Portland. - A notice over the heading of Edward Henty, of Muntham, dated October 27th, 1845 was to the effect that Daniel Potter, Frederick Holmwood, Alexander, Bolmwood, --- Barnsley, John Luland, Wm. Disney, and Samuel Davis, having that day absconded from his hired service, the public were cautioned against employing them, and any person so doing would be immediately proceeded against under the Master and Servants' Act.

Source : "The Portland Guardian (Vic.) Monday, 9th June 1930.

1845, November : Bullock from "Muntham"

INTERESTING NEWSPAPER RELIC. THE PORTLAND DISTRICT IN THE FORTIES.
We ("Casterton News") have been favoured by Mr. George Wilson, who will be known to many of our readers as a son of Portland's first Church of England clergyman, the Rev. James Yelverton Wilson, with a perusal of a Portland Guardian dated November 8, 1845...
...The first local paragraph is of interest in the immediate neighborhood of Casterton. It reads --"Portland Grassfed Meat.--A bullock was killed at the Messrs, Henty's melting establishment on Monday last, the kidney fat of which weighed 65 pounds ; the beast had been fed at Muntham."

Source : "The Border Watch" (Mount Gambier, SA) Saturday, 10th January 1903.

1846, February : Stray Cattle retrieved from SA to "Muntham"

MELBOURNE. - STRAY CATTLE.--A party of Mr Edward Henty's men, who had been despatched from the Muntham Station on the Glenelg, to proceed in the direction of Rivoli Bay and Adelaide in search of a number of stray cattle belonging to that gentleman, fell in with a mob, about three weeks since as far off as the Maria creek. They were in excellent condition, but desperately wild, having been astray for nearly three years.

Source : "The South Australian" (Adelaide, SA) Tuesday, 17th February 1846.

1847, January : John BYNG attempted to establish an Inn at Bryan Creek (Coleraine)

THE WANNON.--A difference exists, in the district of the Wannon, as to the erection of a public house, in that locality. Mr Byng, from Melbourne, it would seem, had obtained permission from Captain Fyans to erect a house there, on the usual certificates of the neighbouring settlers being produced, and had made some progress in the proposed erection. Byng obtained all the names necessary, one excepted, and that one name was that of Mr Edward Henty, who refused his consent to the establishment of the house. But while Mr Henty objected to the erection and opening of a house by Byng in the neighbourhood of his station, it would seem there was no valid objection on the part of Mr H., to a public house by some one else ; Mr Bell, of this town, has, we believe, been making for some time, subsequently to Mr Henty's refusal to sign Byng's certificate, an attempt to gain the required signatures, but in vain. Bell has secured we believe, Mr Henty's name, but then he cannot get the names of the other settlers, who say, with a good deal of justice, that as Mr Henty would not consent to the party whom they recommended, they could not think of so far bowing to Mr H's wish, as to recommend one whom he had to offer as a substitute. It is just to say that there is no objection to either party, on the score of moral qualification and fitness for keeping a public house ; and Byng has subsequently been offered all the encouragement he could wish, to erect a house on a station in the vicinity of Mount Gambier.-Guardian.

Source : "The Geelong Advertiser and Squatters' Advocate" (Vic.) Tuesday, 19th January 1847.

1847, April : Wannon Hounds have a meet at "Muntham".

WANNON HOUNDS. 8 A.M.
The following places of meet will be continued throughout the season, in rotation, unless notice be given to the contrary.
Tuesday .. March 30 .. Junction of the Grange and Wannon.
Friday ..... April 2 .... Salt Water Holes on Mr Winter's Run.
Tuesday .......... 6 ..... Bryan's Creek, Cattle Flat, Muntham.
Friday ............... 9 .... M'Kinlay's public house, Glenelg.
Tuesday........... 1 ..... At the Kennel.
Friday ............ 16 ..... At Lewis', Emu Creek.

Source : "The Geelong Advertiser and Squatters' Advocate" (Vic.) Tuesday, 13th April 1847.

1847, August : Bullock Diver employed by Edward HENTY drowned in a Swamp.

The roads to the westward are in a fearful state. The Mount Gambier mail which arrived at the Grange on Thursday last, was a fortnight beyond its time. The Wannon is quite impassable on horseback ; the mail had to be brought over in a small punt, and the horse swam over after it. The other western mails, considering the state of the rivers, especially the Hopkins, have been less irregular than might have been expected ; the last mail, however, from Geelong to Portland, was detained at the Hopkins, the river being quite impassable. A man was drowned while crossing a swamp with a team of bullocks, near Mr. Edward Henty's station. He was a married man in Mr. Henty's employment. Nearer town the roads are quite as bad, and, the bridge at the Marrabool is in daily danger of being completely swept away ; even now it is extremely dangerous, being riddled with holes of various sizes sufficient to let through a horse's hoof, or a whole carcase. If the bridge be again covered by the flood, it will be impossible to cross it without extreme danger.--"Geelong Advertiser."

Source : "The Geelong Advertiser and Squatters' Advocate" (Vic.) Tuesday, 10th August 1847.

1848, September : Melting Establishment to move to "Muntham".

PORTLAND. Mr. HENTY's MELTING ESTABLISHMENT.--We have just learnt that Mr. Henty's Melting Establishment is to be removed from its present site, neat the Double Corner, to the junction of the Wannon and Glenelg. Mr Edward Henty will be its proprietor.--Guardian.

Source : "The Geelong Advertiser" (Vic.) Tuesday, 5th September 1848.

1849, 30th January : Official Description of the "Muntham" Pastoral Run

Superintendent's Office, Melbourne, January, 1849.
CLAIMS TO LEASES OF CROWN LANDS, beyond the settled districts.
PORTLAND BAY DISTRICT.

No. 132. Edward Henty
Name of run-Muntham
Estimated area-57,300 acres
Estimated grazing capability-3000 head of cattle-20,000 sheep
Bounded on the south by the northern boundary line of Connell's run to the river Wannon, and from thence by the said river to its junction with the Koroite Rivulet, to its junction with Spring Creek, on the east by a line running from the said junction bearing NNE four miles, and by a line bearing NNE, distance 5½ miles to Watson's road, on the north by said road from the terminus of the eastern boundary line, to waterhole at the head of Turkey-bottom creek on said road, on the west by Turkey-bottom creek from the water hole, the terminus of the northern boundary line, to a flat on the said creek, distant nine miles, and from thence by a plough furrow from same point to a spring on the junction of boundary line with Connell's run.

Source : "The Argus" Tuesday, 30th January 1849

~1853 : Pig-shooting at "Muntham" : Richmond HENTY, Tom HENTY & "Old BRENNAN"

Richmond HENTY 1837-1904, in his book "Australiana" published in 1886 reminisced about visiting his Uncle Edward HENTY's property Muntham and being involved in a pig shooting escapade.

1856 : Cuthbert FETHERSTONHAUGH at "Muntham"

Cuthbert Fetherstonhaugh 1837-1925, in his book "After Many Days" written in 1917 reminisced about his time at Muntham from 1856-1862 where he was undertaking his "colonial experience". Cuthbert, born in Ireland in 1837, was only 19 when he commenced his six-year association with the Muntham property has left a wealth of descriptive anecdotes about life at Muntham with young Tom HENTY, manager for and nephew of Edward HENTY.

1856, March : 175 Chinese arrive at "Muntham"

THE CHINESE INVASION RENEWED.-We are informed that one hundred and seventy-five Chinese called a few days ago at Muntham, a well-known station near Portland. They were en route from Adelaide for the diggings.

Source : "The Argus" (Melbourne, Vic.) Thursday, 27th March 1856

1856-1859? : Thomas "Tom" HENTY, Manager of Horses & Cattle at "Muntham"

Tom HENTY, son of James HENTY 1800-1882, and nephew of Edward HENTY 1810-1878 was manager of horses and cattle on "Muntham" in the late 1850s to early 1860s. Tom HENTY is mentioned by Cuthbert Fetherstonhaugh 1837-1925, in his book "After Many Days" written in 1917, when he reminisced about his time at Muntham from 1856-1862 where he was undertaking his "colonial experience". Cuthbert, born in Ireland in 1837, was only 19 when he commenced his six-year association with the Muntham property has left a wealth of descriptive anecdotes about life at "Muntham" and escapades with with Tom HENTY.

1857, February 13th : Grand Ball in honour of David MURRAY Overseer at "Muntham"

DOMESTIC INTELLIGENCE. FESTIVITIES IN THE BUSH.--On the evening of Thursday, the 13th instant, a grand ball was given at Muntham in honour of Mr. David Murray, who has been for a number of years overseer for Mr. Henty. Mr. Murray has just been appointed Superintendant for Mr. Geo. Robertson, Glenelg, and being very highly esteemed by the work people at Muntham ; the latter gave him the ball as a tribute of respect. Upwards of forty couples sat down to a sumptuous dejeuner prepared in Portland, and the German Brass Band which was engaged for the ocasion played their choicest melodies.---Communicated.

Source : "The Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser" (Vic.) Monday, 16th February 1857.

1859-60 : Robert George McPHERSON, Sheep Manager at "Muntham"

1878, August 14 : Edward HENTY died at "Offington" St Kilda-road, Melbourne

Deaths. HENTY.-On the 14th inst., at his residence, Offington, St. Kilda road, in the 69th year of his age, Edward Henty, of Muntham, sixth son of the late Thos. Henty, Esq., formerly of West Tarring, Sussex.

Funeral Notices. THE Friends of the late EDWARD HENTY, Esq., are respectfully invited to follow his remains to the place of interment, the Boroondara Cemetery (Kew).

The funeral will pass Prince's bridge at 3 o'clock THIS DAY, August 15.

THOMAS BELL, undertaker, 14 Lennox street, Richmond.

Source : "The Argus" Thursday, 15th August 1878 (deaths)

1879, January 1 : "Muntham" leased for 5 years by J. J. PEARSON

THE MUNTHAM SALE. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH] (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) CASTERTON, Tuesday.
Today commenced the most important sale perhaps, ever held in the Western district, the stock of the oldest--the first--station in Victoria having been advertised for sale on the 17th and 18th inst. to-day and to-morrow. This sale arises from the fact of the estate of Muntham having been let for a period of five years by the executors of the late Edward Henty to Mr Joseph Pearson, at a rent of 6s. 7d., and preparatory to the lessee entering into possession on the 1st January, it was decided to hold a general clearing sale of the entire stock of sheep, cattle, horses, &c. The auctioneers were Messrs Bree, Dickens, and Co, of Hamilton, and Messrs King and Cuningham, of Melbourne. Mr Bree sold the sheep, and Mr King sold the cattle. About 500 or 600 people attended the sale. The proportion of buyers in that number formed but a small percentage. The prices realised for sheep, which were not a first-class lot were on the whole remakably good. The whole of them, over 33,000 were disposed of. The whole of the cattle were not got through to-day ; the residue will be sold tomorrow, together with the horse stock. The following list will give an idea of the prices realised :--Flock ewes realised from 5s. 8d. to 6s. 3d., stud ewes, shorn, realised 13s. 7d. ; cheviot wethers averaged about 5s. 6d. The rams did not realise first class prices ; cheviots were not eagerly sought after. In cattle, 6th Duke of Brunswick was sold to Mr Thomas Henty for 150 guineas ; 13th Duke of Derrimut to Mr. N. D. O. Wills for 65 guineas ; pedigreed heifers, up to £17 10s. ; store bullocks up to £4 12s. 6d. ; fat, to £6. The cattle were chiefly purchased for South Australia.

Source : "The Argus" (Melbourne, Vic.) Wednesday, 18th December 1878.

1901, February 27 : Anna Maria HENTY died at "Offington" St Kilda-road, Melbourne

Death. HENTY--On the 27th February, at her residence, Offington, St. Kilda road, Anna Maria, relict of the late Edward Henty, of Muntham, aged 82.

Source : "The Argus" (Melbourne, Vic.) Friday, 1st March 1901.

Funeral. THE Friends of the late Mrs. EDWARD HENTY are informed that her remains will be interred in the Boroondara Cemetery, Kew.
The funeral to leave her late residence, "Offington," St. Kilda road, THIS DAY (Saturday, the 2nd inst.), at 2 o'clock p.m.
HERBERT KING, Undertaker, Lennox-street, Richmond. Tel. 912.

Source : "The Argus" (Melbourne, Vic.) Saturday, 2nd March 1901. (Funerals)

1902, January : "Muntham" Estate sold.

Hector Malcolm McKINNON of "Kaladbro", Strathdownie purchased the homestead block of "Muntham" Estate at auction from the estate of the late Mrs Edward HENTY in which almost 90 allotments of the former "Muntham" Estate were sold.

Some details on the "Muntham" Estate sales of 1901-2.

1912, October : 1200 acres of "Muntham" for Closer Settlement.

Casterton.--It was mentioned a while ago that Mr. H. MacKinnon intended cutting up a portion of his Muntham estate for closer settlement. This has now been carried out. Twelve hundred acres are being surveyed, and will he sold in conveniently sized blocks. Messrs. A. E. Smith & Co. have the management of the sale.

Source : "The Border Watch" (Mount Gambier, SA) Saturday, 5th October 1912.

1949, June : "Muntham" Estate sold for the 3rd time.

...Muntham has been sold only three or four times since it was first taken up. The previous occasion was in June, 1949 when the late Mr. Ellis paid £32 an acre for it.

Source : "The Border Watch" (Mount Gambier, SA) Thursday, 8th March 1951

1951, February : "Muntham" Estate sold for the 4th time.

Henty's Western District Home Sold.
Muntham, the original home of Edward Henty, the first settler in the Western District of Victoria, was sold at auction last week, and realised the high price of £54/4/- per acre.
The property, comprising 879 acres, and situated nine miles from Casterton, was offered on account of the executors of the late Mr. J. C. Ellis, by T. H. Laidlaw and Co. Ltd. Purchaser was Mr. Geoffrey E. Lobb, of Kout Narien, Harrow.
Muntham has been sold only three or four times since it was first taken up. The previous occasion was in June, 1949 when the late Mr. Ellis paid £32 an acre for it.

Source : "The Border Watch" (Mount Gambier, SA) Thursday, 8th March 1951