Parramatta Historical Society

27/05/2026

Historic Pub Tour.

Recently the Society held a historic tour of the sites of Parramatta’s old pubs. The event was led by Gary Carter who has published a book about the About that Shout – the History of Pubs in Parramatta, available at. https://www.hambledoncottagemuseum.org.au/product-page/about-that-shout-history-of-pubs-in-parramatta-2nd-edn

The Woolpack Hotel.
The original location of the Woolpack Inn can be seen in the etching by James Heath published in 1798. It is a view of the early High Street with the Governor’s House at the top centre. In the foreground, middle right can be seen a small sign displaying two masonic symbols – the sun and a corner of the masonic square and compass.

This denotes the location of an inn called the Mason’s Arms whose publican was James Larra (1749-1839), a convict from a distinguished Hispano-Jewish family. The name of the inn was later changed to the Freemasons’ Arms before being purchased by Andrew Nash in 1821. Nash changed the name to the Woolpack and built on its already well-regarded reputation to become one of Parramatta’s most well regarded inns.

Local historian, John McClymont noted that the Woolpack, along with the Red Cow Inn, became stylish provincial houses to service the gentry and provide a venue for important meetings or social events. Geographically it was in an ideal location as traffic coming in and out of Sydney came through Parramatta. As well as hosting meetings among the prosperous men of the area, the Woolpack held shows by travelling performers and provided a home-away-from home for ‘well-to-do settlers, and squatters who left horses, servants and families there while they conducted business in Sydney.’

In 1865 Nathaniel Payten Jnr was the proprietor of the Woolpack Inn and was responsible for introducing the first lawn bowling competition in Parramatta on the back lawn of the Woolpack. According to John P Monroe in his book, The Origin of Bowls in NSW:

Alexander Johnstone, of Parramatta, had a set of bowls made by Thomas Eades, of Parramatta in the 1860s, and he played with them in a paddock at Elizabeth Farm. Later on, he persuaded Nathanial Payten Jnr, of the Woolpack Inn Parramatta, to put down a small green in the grounds of that hostelry. In 1869 three rinks were in use, and in the following year the Woolpack Club was formed. The Rosehill Club was formed in 1880. The Woolpack Club existed until 1880 when it was absorbed by the Rosehill (afterwards the Parramatta) Bowling Club.

Payten sold the Woolpack Inn in 1879 which kept operating until 1887 when it was purchased by the Government for the construction of a new Parramatta courthouse. In 1889, the Woolpack reopened on its current site which was across the road from the original location. This site, where it still stands today, was originally the home of James Elders, built in 1821.

References
https://historyandheritage.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/blog/2018/11/29/new-acquisition-an-etching-of-the-woolpack-inn Alison Lykissas, Cultural Collections Officer, City of Parramatta, Parramatta Heritage Centre, 2018
Photos
Parramatta Historical Society.
Australian National University Noel Butlin Archives
National Library of Australia NK3853/G
State Library of NSW

18/05/2026

North Rocks Cemetery Research

Since the 1980's Parramatta & District Historical has been working on a project to transcribe every grave in cemeteries in the Parramatta area.

Finally, the only cemetery left to be documented is North Rocks Cemetery in North Rocks Road Carlingford. This has been a Catholic cemetery since the 1890's when the land was donated by the Maher family.

To explain to members and friends how the Society Historic Graves Committee goes about transcribing the graves and the level of detail involved in their work, a special day was held last month in the cemetery.

Following instructions from Judith Dunn, those present were given specialised sheets and given the task of transcribing headstones, recording the condition of the memorials, materials used in its construction etc.

After a most interesting morning, participants enjoyed refreshments at a nearby members house.

Thanks to Judith and her Committee for the important work they have been doing in documenting this important part of Parramatta's history.

Society Cemetery Publications can be purchased at

https://www.hambledoncottagemuseum.org.au/shop-1

09/05/2026

06/05/2026

Book Launch at Hambledon Cottage

Parramatta & District Historical Society was pleased to have recently hosted at Hambledon Cottage the launch of Alan Atkinson's latest non-fiction book "The House of Blue Glass - A Life of Penelope Lucas".

Hambledon Cottage was a fitting location to hold the event as Penelope Lucas who was best known as the governess to the Macarthur children, is believed to have contributed financially towards the building of the cottage but also lived there for the last nine years of her life.

A large audience was in attendance to witness the official launch of the book by Adjunct Associate Professor Carol Liston who praised the meticulous research that Alan Atkinson had undertaken to uncover the little known background of Penelope's upbringing and family influence and the undervalued contribution she made towards the Macarthurs' success.

Alan Atkinson is an acclaimed historian and the author of Europeans in Australia, volumes I-III and Elizabeth & John: The Macarthurs of Elizabeth Farm which was the winner of the 2023 NSW Premier’s History Awards, Australian History Prize.

For more information on how to visit Hambledon Cottage and enjoy a guided tour of this beautiful historic property, please refer to our website www.hambledoncottagemuseum.org.au

04/05/2026

“Discovering Emmeline Emily – Poet & Sketcher” TALK

Overview

In the journey of research there are moments of serendipity, when the unexpected is found. This talk is about Emmeline Emily Macarthur.

This talk is about Emmeline Emily Macarthur, the youngest daughter of pioneers, John and Elizabeth Macarthur, that unexpected find and the pure joy of a subsequent ‘encounter’.

All will be revealed in this talk.

Speaker Ronda Gaffey

Venue Hambledon Cottage Coach House

Date Wednesday May 6th

Cnr Hassall St & Gregory Place Parramatta

Time 11.00 am- 12.00 am

Bookings

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/discovering-emmeline-emily-poet-sketcher-talk-tickets-1985969577467?aff=oddtdtcreator

02/05/2026

Colonial Wardrobe – Hambledon Cottage

Skilled heritage craftsman Ian Thomson was engaged recently to undertake some minor repair work to the drawers of an c1840 Australian Red Cedar wardrobe at Hambledon Cottage.

The wardrobe is part of the bedroom suite with the four-poster bed, formerly belonging to the Payten/Rose family of Parramatta/Campbelltown.

The drawers, which are deep and long, allowed the voluminous dresses to be laid down rather than hung. Inside the winged sections, there are wooden pegs to hang clothes.

The wardrobe is thought to have been made by Andrew Lenehan (1815 – 1886) who was a master cabinetmaker and supplier of furniture to the colony. Interestingly, he was commissioned in the 1850’s to build much of the dining room furniture for Government House Sydney which is still in use today and highly prized.

Hopefully, with these repairs the wardrobe will be ready for another 180+ years!

Red Cedar.

Australian red cedar, Toona ciliata, was first discovered in rainforest soon after European settlement has played an important part in the natural and cultural history, as well as the economic development of Australia. By 1798 it was the colony’s third largest export.

Once plentiful in NSW and Queensland rainforests, cedar proved easy to cut, cure and transport, and useful for building, joinery and furniture. As early as the 1790s the government was aware of the possibility of destroying too much timber, yet by the 1870s cedar was scarce in NSW. By the end of the 19th century the best quality timber had been logged-out and timber-getters turned to the rainforests of Queensland.

When large tracts of red cedar were discovered on the east coast this timber, not surprisingly, became the favourite with many early cabinetmakers. Not only was it far easier to mill, season and work than other local timbers, but its swirly grain and deep red colour were reminiscent of the mahogany used widely in Europe at the time.

More elaborate furniture with extensive carving could also be made from it.
In the early 1800s much fine cedar furniture was made for governors and government buildings, military officials and the few wealthy colonists. The designs closely followed English fashions of the time, and were either drawn from memory, copied from imported furniture or taken from illustrations in furniture pattern books.

References
https://mhnsw.au/whats-on/exhibitions/red-cedar-australia/
https://www.woodreview.com.au/profiles/historical-colonial-cabinetmakers

Images
https://www.anbg.gov.au/cgi-bin/phtml?pc=dig&pn=30228&size=3
Parramatta & District Historical Society

26/04/2026

Discover the stories of Parramatta’s famous families’ kids from 1788 to 1900 in person!

Inherited Lives – Children of Parramatta’s Notable Families, 1788-1900

Join us in person for an engaging look into the lives of children from Parramatta's most famous families between 1788 and 1900. Discover fascinating stories and get a glimpse of history through their eyes. It's a great chance to connect with local heritage and hear untold tales that shaped the community. Don't miss out on this unique historical event that brings the past to life in a fun and informative way!

Behind every well-known founder stood a child who inherited more than a name – they inherited expectations, opportunities and challenges. Some prospered, some struggled, some failed, but all left their mark that helped shape the future of the district.

Come along to hear their remarkable, sometimes sad or surprising lives.

Venue: Hambledon Cottage, Gregory Place Parramatta, Time: 11.00am – 12.00 noon, Wednesday 29th April. Speaker David Senior. Bookings: Required.

Tickets Eventbrite. $5 + Booking Fee
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/inherited-lives-children-of-parramattas-notable-families-1788-1900-tickets-1985243371365

24/04/2026

ANZAC DAY 2026

Many soldiers lost their lives from the First World War.

Least We Forget.

WW1 has many stories; the post below refers to a local Parramatta Soldier and tells one individual’s story, Sergeant James Green to help our understanding of their sacrifice.

We remember all that served. This post is dedicated to the memory of all those who served from the Parramatta area.

James served as a medical orderly in the Boer War, as a Lancer between the wars, then joined the 1st Light Horse AIF in 1914. He was in B Squadron on 7 August 2015 when they attacked the Chesssboard at Gallipoli. James was one of the 86 killed on that, the Regiment's darkest day.

James Green was born on 24 January 1876 in Middlesex, England. He died on 7 August 1915 at the "Chessboard" near Pope's Post Gallipoli whilst serving with B Squadron 1st Light Horse.

James Green's family migrated to Australia, where he joined the Royal Australian Artillery in 1894, he served as a gunner until 1903. He was "seconded" as a Lance-Bombardier to the New South Wales Army Medical Corps in 1899 for service in South Africa; leaving with the first New South Wales contingent on the SS Kent, 28 October 1899 (with NSW Lancer Squadron reinforcements). On 8 January 1901 he returned as part of the New South Wales Imperial Contingent. He was promoted Lance-Sergeant on 31 July 1901, then Sergeant 18 September 1901. His medal clasps attest to his participation in the Relief of Kimberley, Wittenberg, Diamond Hill, Johannesburg, Driefontein, Paardeberg.

He must have been impressed with the cavalry, leaving the Artillery in 1903 he joined the 1st Australian Light Horse (New South Wales Lancers) and remained with the Regiment when it became the 7th Australian Light Horse (New South Wales Lancers) in 1912; he held the rank of Kings Sergeant in 1914.

With many of his colleagues (the militia Regiment supplied HQ, A and B Squadrons) he joined the 1st Light Horse Regiment AIF on 19 August 1914 as a Corporal, promoted Sergeant on 1 September 1914. He landed with the Regiment on Gallipoli in March 1915. In August he was part of the B Squadron attack on 7 August 1915 from Pope's post across 10 metre of open ground and into a chessboard of Turkish trenches. The squadron was then engaged in a 3 hour inconclusive bomb (gr***de) fight with the Turkish defenders. When the squadron withdrew, it had suffered 147 casualties. Sergeant Green died that day. His body was never recovered; his name is on the memorial at Lone Pine.

References.
The Royal NSW Lancers at Parramatta
https://www.lancers.org.au/site/James_Green.php
John Howells 2009

18/04/2026

Tour of Callan Park

The Society’s recent tour of Callan Park commenced at the c1839 Garry Owen House before splitting into two groups. Due to the extensive grounds of the previous mental hospital, one half of members concentrated on the gardens and buildings around the old Broughton Hall estate while the remainder visited the area around the Kirkbride block.

What was apparent from the visit was that the exceptional foresight shown by the Colonial Government when in 1874 they bought the whole 104.5 acres as a site for a new lunatic asylum to be designed according to the enlightened views of the American Dr Thomas Kirkbride.

Colonial Architect James Barnett worked in collaboration with Inspector of the Insane Dr Frederick Norton Manning to produce a group of over twenty neo-classical buildings, completed in 1885 and subsequently named the Kirkbride Block, offering progressive patient care.

Built of sandstone mainly quarried on site, the buildings have slate roofs, timber floors, and copper down pipes. Spacious rooms lead to verandahs linking several courtyards. The verandahs are supported by hundreds of cast iron columns acting as down pipes for water which is fed into an underground reservoir.

Essential to treatment of patients was the calming influence of natural beauty and pleasant parklands. Further landscaping in the 1890’s included the planting of palms and rainforest trees, and the conversion of an informal pond to a sunken garden.

Thanks to our wonderful guides from Friends of Callan Park - Roslyn and Sarah who made our visit to this beautiful site so memorable.