Thanks MargM, "I just found this interesting website for Morisset Hospital." ...this website is certainly worth a visit, regards Wendy McKenzie

Hi Ian I just found this interesting website for Morisset Hospital. http://www.morissethospitalhistoricalsociety.websyte.com.au/ MargaretB Lake Macquarie NSW Australia

Wendy, The corner of Warrawilla and Maidens Brush Rds is directly opposite Adelene Village which is next door to Henry Kendall Village. I think the creek is Wingello Creek which when flowing also runs through the grounds of Wyoming Public School and the grounds of the former Eric Worrells Reptile Park, under the old Old Pacific Highway near The Willows motel to join Narara Creek just near the main Northern Railway, then flowing into Brisbane Water.. I live about 1km from the junction of Warrawilla and Maidens Brush Rds and travel that way often as my mother is a resident of the nursing home at Adelene. If you would like some digital photos of the area, contact me off list with any details of the land that will help to place the boundaries and sometime I'll send a few photos. Much of the land is residential now. I'd still like to hear the background to the naming of Maiden Brush. David Wyoming ----- Original Message ----- From: "ian" <iandwmckenzie@optusnet.com.au> To: <AUS-NSW-CENTRAL-COAST-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2006 10:39 AM Subject: Re: [ANCC] Maiden Brush, Gosford area- Info on > Hello MargM and Everyone, > Warrawirra Road and Maiden's Brush Road transverse William Creighton's > land. Could a local please tell me what this land looks like now? It is > near Henry Kendall Village. The creeks and the reserve are on what was > William's land. Could someone tell me the name of the creek/s and the > reserve. I found them on www.whereis.com but the creek/s and reserve are > not named. > Thank you > Wendy McKenzie

Hello Wendy, Thanks for the mention of the fishing book by me - actually, it was written by my husband Gene....they were mostly my photos though. This matter of the naming of the present Maidens Brush Road - a very old name by the way - comes up periodically, and I don't think that anyone has been able to say categorically how it devolved. However, there is a tree named Maiden's Blush (Sloanea australis) which is found in brush forests from Bateman's Bay on the south coast of NSW northwards. It is also called the Blush Alder. It is pinkish (thus the popular name for it) and light in weight, and is suitable for indoor joinery and cabinet work - I am quoting here from "The Trees of New South Wales" by R.H. Anderson. We know that there were sawyers living in the area of this road which comes within the boundary of Wyoming, but which eventually becomes a fire trail running through to Toomeys Road at Mount Elliot. Maidens Brush Road crosses Wingello Creek at the location of Henry Kendall Retirement Village which is set in quite thickly timbered countryside. I don't think it is unreasonable to suggest that the name may have come about because of the plentitude of Maiden's Blush trees in the brush country. The forest expert, botanist J.H. Maiden (born 1859) was working in the district in the early 1900s studying the trees, but as "the Maiden's Brush" term was used in the middle 1850s - you say it is on some of your birth records for this period - that would rule out the location being named after him. Perhaps someone knows the truth of the name's origin, but I think that the above is the most likely. By the way, an apostrophe here or there is meaningless with old names, which differ from record to record. Street names have generally dropped the apostrophe now, I notice. It's a good idea to have a reliable local map of the district to refer to - I couldn't live without my Gregory's! Regards, Gwen

Hi Wendy I live close by to Kendall Grange, about 20 minutes. Let me check our records at the Lake Macquarie & District Historical Society Inc. The Heritage Centre, Old Toronto Railway Station, Victory Row, TORONTO, NSW Tele: 02 49598063. Open Sunday and Wednesday afternoons, 1.00pm to 4.00pm. We have information on Morisset Hospital, Kendall Grange and Maidens Brush plus other Lake Macquarie Suburbs. I shall look when next on duty at the centre. MargaretB Lake Macquarie NSW Australia To start with a list of books for you, you may be able to obtain copies on interlibrary loan. A Fistful of Buttercups by Barbara Corbett. A History of Morisset Hospital Hospital by The Morisset Historical Society. Cooranbong-First town in Lake Macquarie 1826-1996 by Michael Chamberlain.

Hello MargM and Everyone, Warrawirra Road and Maiden's Brush Road transverse William Creighton's land. Could a local please tell me what this land looks like now? It is near Henry Kendall Village. The creeks and the reserve are on what was William's land. Could someone tell me the name of the creek/s and the reserve. I found them on www.whereis.com but the creek/s and reserve are not named. Thank you Wendy McKenzie

Hello MargM and Everyone, I think I am a little closer to finding Maiden Brush. I have found an old map of the Gosford area which shows that my William Creighton had land [about 100 acres] to the east and just north of the northern boundery of the township of Gosford. This is an exciting discovery in itself! This land title was from 5 August 1857 and is around the time that William's children were being born at Maiden Brush. In a later map it would appear that a road started on William Creighton's land and led towards the west [and Gosford]. Later still, maps show this same road traversersing William's land from the east and leading towards the northern part of the town of Gosford. This road is shown as Maiden's Brush Road. It is possible then that Maiden Brush was William Creighton's own land and that of his neighbours. James Mitchell's land is immediately to the west of William Creighton's land. The maps were found at http://www.lands.nsw.gov.au/OnlineServices/ParishMaps/default.htm . You were right MargM, it would appear that Maiden Brush is to the north of Gosford [and east]. Now I need to find a modern map to show what is on William's land today! regards Wendy McKenzie

Thanks MargM, in all the baptism and burial records I have the area is referred to as Maiden Brush not Maiden's Brush as the road is now called. I notice that the shops along that road also refer to themselves as Maiden's Brush Pharmacy, Maiden's Brush Newsagency, etc. I'll try to get hold of an old map of the area and see if it is marked anywhere. I think if I do find it it will be around North Gosford, as you say. Thank goodness I have Gwen Dundon's fishing book, which includes some maps, otherwise I wouldn't have a clue where any of the place were on the central coast. I'll keep searching, regards Wendy McKenzie.

----- Original Message ----- From: "ian" <iandwmckenzie@optusnet.com.au> To: <AUS-NSW-CENTRAL-COAST-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 11:40 AM Subject: [ANCC] Maiden Brush, Gosford area Hi Wendy > I am trying to find out about Maiden Brush. In the mid > 1800s several of the Creighton children were born there > and some died there too. I can't find out about the > location on the Internet, but think it was probably a > little to the north of >the current Gosford township. Thats about it Can anyone enlighten me as the the location and history of this area, and what it >is now called? North Gosford >How did it get it's name? No idea ! I know there is a road through Wyoming called Maiden's Brush Road, but this is all I have discovered. I had a look on Gosford Council web site.......... Maiden's Brush is mentioned but thats all http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/library/local_history/Suburbs/index_html In the 1850's when my Creighton ancestor [William Creighton, son of Robert Creighton, the elder] lived here he was a sawyer and a wheelwright, so perhaps it was a timber-getting area? The old name of Ourimbah was Blue Gum Flat ...........Was all timber getting around here for quite a long time and cattle rustling ............ No gold in them thar hills around here ......... Maidens Brush is just the name of a road. Have never given any thought to how it got to be called that ! Bye MargM Beautiful Central Coast of NSW

Thanks Colleen, " First of all, I know Maiden's Brush Road is at Wyoming and timber mills were located at Narara, Lisarow and Ourimbah area, I would say Maiden Brush was between Gosford and Wyoming ..." I did find some historical information on Wyoming, as I thought this may have been called Maiden Brush in the past, but Wyoming has a very interesting history of it's own [a property from the 1840s, and doesn't appear to have anything to do with Maiden Brush. I live too far away from the Central Coast to visit the library, but I may be able to borrow the book 'Blue Gum Flats' on inter-libary loan through my local library. Thanks for the reference. "Morrisset Hospital cared for people who had suffered mental breakdowns, or who were depressed or any person with mental disabilities" Thanks also for the information on Morisset Mental Hospital. I suspect the person I am interested in may have been suffering from dementia. He was 65 years old when he died there. I'll try Lake Macquarie Council and library on the net. "My brother was connected to the Crighton family through marriage" I am interested to know of your brother's connection to the Creighton family. It is great for me to be connected to an old central coast family, even if my branch [William Creighton] eventually ended up being Sydneysiders. The history of the central coast is fascinating. It would have been an amazing place to live in the early days. Quite isolated and stunningly beautiful along the waterways. The early pioneers must have been strong-minded and hard-working to cope with the tough conditions, Regards Wendy

Hi Wendy, First of all, I know Maiden's Brush Road is at Wyoming and timber mills were located at Narara, Lisarow and Ourimbah area, I would say Maiden Brush was between Gosford and Wyoming, not sure on this one, but if you visit the Gosford Library you will find history on the Central Coast and a book called Blue Gum Flats which has lots of goodies in it. My brother was connected to the Crighton family through marriage. Morrisset Hospital cared for people who had suffered mental breakdowns, or who were depressed or any person with mental dissabilities. You could phone Lake Macquarie Library for history on the area, or visit Lake Macquarie Council on the net. Colleen ----- Original Message ----- From: "ian" <iandwmckenzie@optusnet.com.au> To: <AUS-NSW-CENTRAL-COAST-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 11:45 AM Subject: [ANCC] Morisset Mental Hospital, Morisset > Hello MargM & Everyone, > could anyone tell me about the Mental Hospital at Morisset? I am > particulary interested in the period just after the First World War > [c1919]. What type of patients would be kept there? I hope this list > covers the Morisset area. Does anyone know of the history of the area up > until c1920? Was mining carried out nearby, coal mining perhaps? Hope > someone knows something, > regards > Wendy McKenzie > > > ==== AUS-NSW-CENTRAL-COAST Mailing List ==== > Please type surnames only in all caps. Helps them stand out from a > computer screen >

Dear Listers NSW State Records Activities Program is about to start Run you eye down http://www.records.nsw.gov.au/archives/activities_program_jan-jun_06_57.asp Lots of interesting stuff ! Bye MargM Beautiful Central Coast of NSW

Hello MargM & Everyone, could anyone tell me about the Mental Hospital at Morisset? I am particulary interested in the period just after the First World War [c1919]. What type of patients would be kept there? I hope this list covers the Morisset area. Does anyone know of the history of the area up until c1920? Was mining carried out nearby, coal mining perhaps? Hope someone knows something, regards Wendy McKenzie

Hello MargM & Everyone, I am trying to find out about Maiden Brush. In the mid 1800s several of the Creighton children were born there and some died there too. I can't find out about the location on the Internet, but think it was probably a little to the north of the current Gosford township. Can anyone enlighten me as the the location and history of this area, and what it is now called? How did it get it's name? I know there is a road through Wyoming called Maiden's Brush Road, but this is all I have discovered. In the 1850's when my Creighton ancestor [William Creighton, son of Robert Creighton, the elder] lived here he was a sawyer and a wheelwright, so perhaps it was a timber-getting area? Regards Wendy McKenzie

Dear Listers Just a note to let you all know that Tuggarah Library now have a connection for library users to Ancestry.com And now boast 2 film printer- readers Up to about 12 years ago the Wyong Shire Councils libraries collection of gene used was smaller enough with one fiche reader to do the rounds of their libraries How times have changed ............. Tuggarah Library is on the Railway end of the huge Westfield shopping centre bye MargM Beautiful Central Coast of NSW

Dear Listers We have a nice New Years pressie NSW BDMs now have deaths indexes to 1975 and marriages to 1955 on line Bye MargM List Admin Sydney, New England, Hunter Valley, Central Coast , Australia lists

Dear Listers Came across this interesting look up site. While mostly for SA over States are also covered . Certainly worth a look and put it in your favourites http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~tigerhawk71/aus-sa_lookup.htm Bye MargM List Admin Sydney, New England, Hunter Valley, Central Coast , Australia lists

Marg, A little more to add to the other contributions re Reedy Flat (Rev Alfred Glennie baptised some German children at this place). Joanne and Ron Flack are probably right about its location. A baby named George REIGLER, born 8 October 1858 and bap. 13 December 1858 was a son of the same Andreas and Anna Reigler (wife nee Walbourig). The father's abode and occupation? He was shown as a labourer of Currumbong [Cooranbong], and that of course is not far from Freemans Waterholes. Re the early LEES of Tuggerah. I have likely jumped to the conclusion that Rev Glennie was referring to his place, but quite likely he may have meant another person's home altogether (Mr Lee's - with an apostrophe perhaps?) Heck, I think I will withdraw from this conversation while the going's good.... By the way, I wish I'd been paid a dollar for every Reedy CREEK crossed while driving through various states in Australia! Best wishes to all, Gwen

Hello MargM Found on http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:G80IeMxAhtoJ:www.huntervalleygenealogy.com/Glennie.pdf+reedy+flat+gosford+1830&hl=en Page 2 of Revd Glennie's Journal on their journey from Gosford to Maitland: "the roads were bad from recent rains, our travelling pace was slow, and our only halt was 3/4 of an hour at REEDY FLAT, it was quite dark before we reached Mount Vincent....."" Mount Vincent is 9 km north of Freemans Waterholes, 2 km south of Mulbring. Therefore, Reedy Flat must be some distance south of Freemans - but you may already know that. INDEX for "THE BRISBANE WATER STORY" Part 1: Gosford and the Henry Kendall Country By Charles Swancott. Published 1953 Second Edition 1966, has a reference to "Reedy Flat, 70". Regards Joanne have been more highly favoured, as regards the weather, as we were on that day. Itwas a complete specimen of a perfect Australian Winter’s day. Cloudless sky, & calm; The roads being bad from recent rains, our travelling pace was slow, & though our only halt was ¾ of an hour at Reedy Flat, it was quite dark before we reached Mount Vincent. The girls were very tired, & quite faint when they got in > This reads > > Anna REIGLER , dau of Andreas , labourer of Wallaroo Park and Anna > WALBOURING b 16 May 1856 > > Also bap of a Charles Hy KLUMPP. son of Christian Joseph , Vine dresser > and gardener of Wallaroo Park & Johanna Frederica b 15 May 1856 > > This birth is in the NSW records registered Gosford 1856 / 4581 > > The Rev states on Friday he went up to Mr LEEs at Reedy Flat > to baptise 2 German children > > That doesn't help much as dunno where that was either :-) > > > Does anyone know please ? > > > Many thanks > >

Hello Colleen, No, sorry, I haven't got a copy of the Braidwood Cemetery Book. Maybe you could ask if someone on the relevant Rootsweb List for that area would look up the death of Martha Powell for you. Have you got the following details from the Births, Deaths and Marriages Index for NSW online? No. 3058 of 1863, Martha Powell, father William, died at Braidwood. Braidwood registration. Regards, Gwen