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I have recently been researching my ancestry and have found it to be rather tedious, yet extremely fascinating.
I have many photos collected over the years and I'm now trying to place names with faces.
Unfortunately, I have left this interest a little late as my connection to the past has been lost with the passing of my parents.
What I have found and has been confirmed is posted on this site in the hope it may be of interest to my family and friends.
Recorded History from 1658
Heritage Album Photos and stories from the past
Father's Military records |
Parish of Awaba.
Prior to 1870, George Chapman (my Great Great grandfather) and Lyster (or Leicester) had taken up 200 acres adjoining Ebenezer on the western side of Stoney Creek. Their farm was known as "Terzeny Park". Later it became known as Sunderland and eventually a part of Blackalls. The area on the eastern side of the railway line was granted to Edmund Charles George Chapman, (my Great grandfather).
Early Industries:
George Chapman and Mr Lyster's farm grew potatoes, millet, arrowroot, sorghum and the castor oil plant. Unsuccessful crops: Wheat, maize, grapes, orange orchard. To supplement farm income three other industries were developed: fish curing, broom manufacture and goat breeding. The brooms were made from fibre of the native lily. In 1870 Chapman's farm had 50 goats, contained on a small island, probably at the mouth of Stoney Creek.
Blackalls Park, was eventually named after Tom Blackall, a Newcastle dentist, whose father had purchased E.C.G. Chapman's estate on the promontory which became the park.