Benjamin Singleton papers

MLMSS 12236

fonds

6 June 1836-5 October 1876

9683026

0.01 metres of textual material (1 folder) - manuscript, typescript

Benjamin Singleton was born on 7 August 1788 in London, England. He arrived in Sydney, New South Wales on 14 February 1792 with his family after his father, William, was sentenced to seven years' transportation. In 1797, the family settled on a land grant in Mulgrave Place, near Pitt Town. With his brother James, Benjamin built several water mills in the Hunter Valley and Hawkesbury areas, including the first at Kurrajong. On 4 February 1811, he married Mary Lane Sharling (sometimes written as Sherland) (1796-1877), with whom he had ten children. In October 1817 and April 1818, Benjamin took part in two unsuccessful expeditions seeking a wagon route to the Hunter River. In February 1820, he and John Howe, along with a party and two Aboriginal guides, found a route known as the Bulga Road and went upstream as far as Maitland. For his part in this expedition, Benjamin was granted 200 acres of land at Patricks Plains which became the town of Singleton. He used his land for cattle grazing, as well as continuing his mill building business, and, in February 1823, he was appointed district constable. He died on 2 May 1853 in Whittingham, near Singleton.

References:
Australian Dictionary of Biography. "Benjamin Singleton (1788-1853)". Accessed 22 November 2024. https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/singleton-benjamin-2667

Wikipedia. "Benjamin Singleton (Australian settler)". Accessed 22 November 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Singleton_(Australian_settler)

Official documents relating to Benjamin Singleton (1788-1853) and the foundation of the town of Singleton, New South Wales.

Land grant "Dated 6th June 1836, Grant of 200 acres of land at Patricks Plains for Mr. Benjamin Singleton"

Subdivision drawing by P.L. Bemi, with handwritten letter to Benjamin Singleton, signed by Sir Richard Bourke, dated 3rd August 1836

Indenture "Dated 6th June 1840 ; Benjamin Singleton and Mary his wife to Walter Rotton, Release of Land at Singleton"

"Dated 29th day of March 1841, Last Will and Testament of Mr. John Howe"

"Dated 1853, Probate of the Last Will and Testament of Benjamin Singleton, deceased"

Typescript "Abstract of the Title of Mary Ann Burdekin to certain lands at Singleton" inscribed by A. Bowman Esq. with dates between 20 December 1835 and 5 October 1876

Out of copyright:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales