----- Original Message ----- From: "G Dundon" <gdundon@bigpond.net.au> To: <AUS-NSW-CENTRAL-COAST-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, November 21, 2005 8:05 AM Subject: [ANCC] FAGAN was the early mail contractor > Hi Marg, > > Re your query about the contractor for the weekly > overland Mail between Sydney and Brisbane Water, via > Wiseman's Ferry..... > > In October 1838 the Colonial Secretary approved the > tender of Peter Fagan for conveying mail between these > places. It is believed that this overland mail to > Gosford was discontinued about 15 December 1842. Hi Gwen That IS interesting . As you know we were only down at Wiseman's Ferry last week . Even in 2005 that road via Spencer is just OK . What must have been like back in 1838? > Gosford and the Hawkesbury district was re-established in 1859, an extension > of the Wiseman's Ferry-Mangrove Creek service on to > Gosford". > > It was discontinued the following year, and it was in > that same year 1860, that a weekly horseback service was > opened between Sydney and Gosford, a distance stated to > be 48 miles. > I wonder which way that was ? I have a Robinsons NSW 1925 Road Guide and that states Sydney to Gosford, via McGraths Hill, Wiseman's ferry, Somersby to Gosford was 103 1/2 miles > and from Aug 1879-80. In the latter year the route is > known to have been from Sydney to St Leonards, > Chatswood, Gordon, Hornsby, Peats Ferry and Gosford. > That is more 'as the crow flies' > Peter F. Fagan, another son, had the contract for Peat's > Ferry - Gosford from 1882-84. > > At various periods the mails came and went by sea. > All part of the ' how things used to be done' > I had the opportunity some years ago to walk over part > of the old bridle track which crosses Mooney Creek and > Pile's Creek.....what hilly terrain for man and horse! > What about the steep hill down to Wiseman's Ferry ! There must have been staging posts for both horse and rider ? >> > As they rode along with the mails, did they ever dream > about the advent of email I rather doubt that ! > > By the way, the Fagans also had the contract to manage > the punt which took travellers across Narara Creek, > roughly in the vicinity of the present road bridge on > the Pacific Highway (near McDonald's). > Just as well a bridge was built ............... Bye MargM Beautiful Central Coast of NSW

Hi Marg Don't know if you have been to this site Online Books http://www.geocities.com/toby_meares2/019.htm Extract; HUNTER RIVER DISTRICT. SEVENTY-FIVE miles north of Port Jackson, the Hunter River finds its outlet to the sea. Eighty-nine years ago Lieutenant Shortland, when hunting some runaway convicts, saw the inlet north of Nobby’s, and very cautiously entered. He found no convicts, but he found coal, which was far more important. He called the stream Coal River, and Coal River it remained for some time, though before the close of the eighteenth century the settlement had been formally christened Newcastle, while the main river had received the name of the Hunter, after the Governor. MargaretB Lake Macquarie NSW Australia