Admin (Admin)
Username: Admin
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 05, 2012 - 7:48 am: | |
Message: 1
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 2011 00:17:20 -0800 (PST)
From: Richard <gerard_drew@yahoo.com.au>
Subject: [HV] Old Settlers Trail
To: "AUS-NSW-HUNTER-VALLEY@rootsweb.com"
<AUS-NSW-HUNTER-VALLEY@rootsweb.com>
Hi.? I wonder if there are list members who have
researched the history of Paynes Crossing?? Yesterday I rode along the Old Settlers Trail and it occurred to me that
it was a big construction project for those old settlers back in 1870.? Presumably there was a big enough population along
Wollombi/Paynes Crossing Road and Putty/Howes Valley to warrant a link
road.? Early family names connected with
the area include Cody, Dalton, Drew, Hawkins, Howe and Payne.? Near the beginning the trail runs through land
belonging to the Wonnarua Nation at Valley Arm, so the trail may have followed Aboriginal
tracks.? I imagine the settlers battled
with pick and axe, and travelled the route on horseback.? Its very rough now, and it doesn?t look like
a grader has been through there.? I
suppose the trail fell out of use when the Cobb and Co coaches made the road
from Wollombi to Broke/Singleton the main thoroughfare.? It?s a shame that the approaches have been generally
closed to the public, as there?s a lot of history and beautiful country there and
with good management it could be enjoyed by many more people. ???
Richard |