"Muntham" Station & Edward HENTY (1810-1878)
Glenelg & Wannon Region, S-W Victoria, Australia |
![]() Edward HENTY, b. 1810 West Taring, Sussex, England, son of Thomas HENTY and Frances HOPKINS married in 1840 at St James, Melbourne to Anna Marie GALLIE, b. ~1818 Plymouth, Devonshire, England, daughter of Hugh GALLIE and Robina WEMYSS. Edward HENTY was involved with the breeding of Eglemont horses, Durham cattle and Spanish Merinos. Edward was elected to Parliament and spent more of his time away from Muntham. After his death in 1878 some of the "Muntham" estate was retained by his wife until her death in 1901, after which it was subdivided and sold at auction. The homestead portion of the "Muntham" was only about one mile south east of the hamlet of Carapook. It was purchased in 1902 by Hector Malcolm McKINNON of "Kaladbro" Strathdownie, who resided at "Muntham" up until his death in 1940.
"Muntham" homestead, Glenelg & Wannon, S-W Victoria, Australia
"Muntham" homestead nestled in a fold on the eastern slope of the Muntham Hill under the "R" in the Gallie Road sign named after Anna Marie GALLIE, wife of Edward HENTY of "Muntham". The Glenelg Highway can be seen on the left as it begins the long climb up the "Muntham Hill" on the way to Casterton. 1840, April : The HENTYs make a route through the stringy bark forest. PORTLAND BAY. 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" 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. 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. 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. 1845, November : Bullock from "Muntham" INTERESTING NEWSPAPER RELIC. THE PORTLAND DISTRICT IN THE FORTIES. 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. 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. 1847, April : Wannon Hounds have a meet at "Muntham". WANNON HOUNDS. 8 A.M. 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." 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. 1849, 30th January : Official Description of the "Muntham" Pastoral Run
~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. 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. 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. 1879, January 1 : "Muntham" leased for 5 years by J. J. PEARSON THE MUNTHAM SALE. [BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH] (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) CASTERTON, Tuesday. 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. 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. 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. 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. 1951, February : "Muntham" Estate sold for the 4th time. Henty's Western District Home Sold. |