Well, actually yes. There was gold discovered in Bishops Bridge at perhaps that time and one mine was sunk but it was never viable commercially. Interestingly it was discovered first as flecks in the crop of a goose that had been killed for dinner! There was, however a large sandstone quarry nearby, called Ravensfield. What was the occupation of your relative (as per the marriage certificate, perhaps)? Bishops Bridge had hotels, a wine shop, a school, a church, a blacksmith and a cemetery. Also in 1852 the Bishops Bridge PO directory covered a much larger area than one would expect from today's boundary. Maitland/Morpeth was the largest town outside of Sydney in the 1840s. Maitland was established as the market garden for Sydney, having already provided timber. Land was granted and quickly taken up along the rivers. Morpeth was the head of the river and so all river traffic stopped at Morpeth or Maitland. By 1831, however, there was a road from Sydney to Maitland so people could come overland. Regards, John Goswell > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "francescoacciarito" <fracc@optusnet.com.au> >To: <AUS-NSW-Hunter-Valley-L@rootsweb.com> > >>I have an ancestor who was married in Sydney c 1856 then went to >>Maitland/Bishop's Bridge areas to live and have their family. What might > >>have been happening around those areas tin the 1850's to warrent moving > >>such a distance? Was gold discovered there? He and family them moved on >to >>Melbourne by 1859. He was a painter/carpenter by trade, so was something > >>big being built then? >> Any clues appreciated. >> >> Cheers, Robyn of Geelong. >--- End of the Attached Message --- >