Brisbane Water land baron

Robert Henderson was able to acquire a substantial land holding in what later became the Parish of Kincumber. I have found 8 separate farms that I think he owned at one point and at least 5 of these were still in his ownership when he died.

Robert Henderson's land holdings in the parish of Kincumber. The numbers represent the portion numbers assigned in the 1880s. 

Robert Henderson's main base in Brisbane Water was Veteran Hall, a 100-acre farm that he inherited from his father-in-law, Patrick Geary in 1827. Patrick had been Granted the land in 1823. When the first Parish Maps were prepared in the 1880s, this was identified as Portion 26. Robert and his wife Catherine lived at Veteran Hall from 1825 until about 1835 when they moved to Sydney. They returned in about 1845 when Robert was appointed District Councillor and remained there until they died in 1869 and 1868 respectively.

The first land in the area that I have found acquired by Robert in his own right was a 60-acre farm originally granted to James Spears. Robert bought this farm in 1826 for 'fifteen pounds in dollars'. I assume this refers to 'holey dollars' which were legal currency in the colony until 1828. Based on the description of this land, and some other clues, I think this was Portion 43, at Empire Bay, and Robert probably sold it to James Richards by 1830.

Next he purchased 100 acres at South Kincumber from William Blizzard for £12/10. This was Portion 29 which was eventually inherited by Robert's grandson, who sold it to Sister Mary McKillop for her home for boys.

Also in 1828, Robert purchased 320 acres from Peter Campbell for £50. The farm was named ‘Culcoran’ and was about 3 km south-east of Kincumber, on Cochrone Creek. It was Portion 285 and was still in his possession when he died.

In 1833 he purchased 60 acres near Green Point from John Miller for £50. He sold this block to Thomas and Maria Pidding the following year for £100.

Then in 1834 he purchased two new grants directly from the Government. The first was 50 acres adjoining Veteran Hall to the west - Portion 71. This cost £12/10. The second grant was 100 acres to the east of Veteran Hall for £25. This was portion 116, part of Davistown today. I think Robert still owned both of these properties when he died.

The 100-acre farm to the north of Veteran Hall may also have belonged to Robert. It is shown as Robert's property on a map in Joan Taylor's family History, and there are documents among Robert's papers about a claim on the farm after Robert's death. This farm was Portion 27 and was named 'Mt Pleasant'.

The next post will look at Robert's land dealings in Sydney.