They Worked At Brownlow Hill - Camden History

1 1 they Worked AT Brownlow hill Compiled by Brian Burnett 2015 Brownlow hill is a rare, substantially intact colonial farming estate with an outstanding scenic landscape setting with many rare surviving early colonial structures and features. It has one of the most prominent colonial gardens and estates in Australia with the extent of its considerable acreage and pattern of farming largely intact. Brownlow hill contains a designed landscape of national importance and renown which includes ground modeling, layout and plantings from the pre-1860s. The homestead layout and farm was established by Alexander Macleay, first Colonial Secretary of NSW and his sons George and to a lesser extent James Macleay. The site has association with government stations initiated by Macquarie. Brownlow hill has had continuous family occupation (the Downes family) since 1859 and ownership since 1875.

2 The site is considerably intact with a network of 19th century dwellings of a successful farm which are still in operation. Brownlow hill is firmly placed in the consciousness of the community as one of the most evocative early European estates (colonial house, garden, landscape setting) in NSW. It has been romanticized by the well known architect, author, artist and gardener , W. Hardy Wilson (1881 - 1955). (National Trust of Australia, Colonial Landscapes of the Cumberland Plain and Camden . 2000) A remarkable survival of a sophisticated colonial garden of the 1830's owned by, and probably designed by, a family notable both in colonial politics and society and internationally in the field of horticulture. (Survey of Gardens in New South Wales - National Trust of Australia, 1981) Date significance updated: 06 Aug 01 Note: There are incomplete details for a number of items listed in NSW.

3 The Heritage Branch intends to develop or upgrade statements of significance and other information for these items as resources become available. Description Designer/Maker: Homestead layout and farm established by Alexander Macleay, first Colonial Secretary of NSW Builder/Maker: George Macleay (Alexander Macleay's son) Construction years: 1827- Physical description: Physical condition and/or Archaeological potential: The site has high archaeological potential. Much of the colonial landscape and garden is still evident. Sub-surface remnants of previous agricultural structures and/or associated artefacts may still be within the boundaries of the original allotments. Flaggy Creek Quarry site: About 100 metres south of the Round House is a quarry in the Flaggy Creek bed, a tributary of the Mount Hunter Rivulet. The quarry was a source of Wiannamatta stone (advertised in the press of the 1820s - '30s as Cowpastures stone), a highly-figured mudstone used for paving ( flagstones) at Brownlow hill (the console table base, veranda and entrance hall flagging) and Elizabeth Bay House (the entrance hall and flagging, saloon 2 stair and upper floor chimneypieces).

4 The Camden Park portico columns are reputedly from this quarry. The quarry provides a rare instance of a surviving connection between early houses and the source of their materials and is an important archaeological site (Carlin, 2008). Date condition updated:06 Aug 01 Modifications and dates: House Modification: The house at Brownlow hill was originally built as two small separate wings of brick at right angles to one another, with a separate kitchen at the rear making up the third side of the Courtyard. By 1834 alterations were made transforming the house which was "now pronounced the best in the Colony." The two small wings were joined, forming an L shaped building. The original roof endings are still to be seen beneath the present roof. Within the angles another section was then added to the east wing, On the right of the north elevation is a wing which was added by Jeremiah Downes, who bought the property In 1875.

5 At that time the front door was replaced and a small portico built before it. A cellar is approached from the rear. In the 1890s a portico-ed entry way to the front door, and new Victorian front door, was added, along with a new wing to the west of the original house. John & Joan Downes made significant modifications in , installing two internal bathrooms in the eastern wing, a corridor connecting the entry hall with the eastern wing rooms leading to a relocated entry door, moved to be centrally placed on the eastern wing. An internal kitchen was also provided within the central wing of the house, including the removal of an internal wall between a former bedroom and scullery. Landscape Modification In the 1850s the property was leased for pig raising when much damage was done to the surrounding growth. In 1859, the property was leased by Jeremiah Downes.

6 Brownlow hill was sold to Severin K Salting and in 1862 was again leased to Downes who purchased the property from Salting in 1875. In the intervening period it was managed as a series of tenant farms In the 1960s, a quarry was established on the western extremity on the property with minimal impact on the working farm. References. National Trust of Australia. Colonial Landscapes of the Cumberland Plain and Camden . 2000 & National Trust (NSW) Parks and Gardens Conservation Committee. Brownlow hill (1995) Further information: The general layout is well maintained but individual items and some overgrown areas need attention. The aviary is in urgent need of restoration. The outer garden, lane/ Loop Road and hedgerows are in need of some weed management, to retain significant views and vistas, and control spread, particularly of African olives and privet.

7 The olives in particular are invasive as scrub elsewhere on the farm, although this is under management. The pond/dam wall is in need of repair and some reconstruction, to prevent further cracking and slumping. Current use: dairy farm and residence Former use: working farm and residence 3 A ARTZ Conrad Clearing lease 6 years from March 1861. Conrad Artz was born 23 Apr 1822 Heddesheim, Baden, germany , and died 06 Mar 1890 Tallewang, Gulgong, NSW. He married (1) Catherine Elizabeth Schneider 12 Apr 1849 St Remiguis Church Heddesheim,Baden, germany , daughter of Anton Schneider and Eva Rath. She was born 1823 Baden, germany , and died 25 Jun 1863 Glendarual, Mt. Hunter, NSW. He married (2) Elizabeth Vollmer 28 Jan 1864 St. Pauls R/C Church Camden , NSW, daughter of Adam Vollmer and Theresa Reiber. She was born 26 May 1830 Geisenheim, Hessen, Nassau, Prussia, and died 18 Apr 1869 Camden , NSW.

8 He married (3) Catherine Flaherty 1869 Camden , NSW, daughter of Daniel O'Flaherty and Elizabeth. She was born 1836, and died Jul 1923 Redfern, NSW. Notes for Conrad Artz: Conrads third marriage was to a non German, and the local Germans disapproved to the point that Conrad moved to Mudgee. More About Conrad Artz: Arrived: 18 Mar 1853, Helena. Burial: 09 Mar 1890, Gulgong, NSW Cause of Death: Thrown from a cart Occupation: Bricklayer, Gardener, Farmer More About Catherine Elizabeth Schneider: Arrived: 18 Mar 1853, Helena. Burial: 26 Jun 1863, R/C Cemetery Camden , NSW Cause of Death: Child labour More About Elizabeth Vollmer: Arrived: 09 Mar 1855, Cateaux Wattel. More About Catherine Flaherty: Burial: 07 Jul 1923, Rookwood, NSW. Children. of Conrad Artz and Catherine Elizabeth Schneider. Michael Schneider Artz, Elizabeth Artz, John Artz, Anna Maria Artz, Paul Adam Artz, Children, of Conrad Artz and Elizabeth Vollmer.

9 Helena Artz, Teresa Artz, Sophia Artz, Children. of Conrad Artz and Catherine Flaherty. Ellen A M Artz, Mary Artz, Frances Artz, Margaret Artz, Conrad Artz. B BATTHAM Henry Known 1849, Witness to marriage 1-10-1849 his abode Brownlow hill . Henry Battam was born 1821 Rolvenden, Kent, England. He married (1) Elizabeth Gill 01 Aug 1854 Sydney, NSW. She was born 1819, and died 18 Jan 1855 Camden , NSW. He married (2) Catherine McGrath 04 Apr 1859 Sydney, NSW. She was born Unknown, and died 1905 Sydney, NSW. More About Henry Battam: Arrived: 26 Jun 1838, Westminster As A: Free Person Occupation: Carrier, Coach Proprietor, More About Elizabeth Gill: Burial: Jan 1855, St Johns Cemetery Camden , NSW. Children of Henry Battam and Catherine McGrath. Catherine Henrietta Battam, Mary Ann Elizabeth Battam, Henry Perryman Battam. BATTHAM James Known 1852 wife Patricia, Witness a marriage 21-4-1852 Brownlow hill .

10 BATTHAM Jeremiah Farmer of Brownlow hill at time of death, Jeremiah Battam was born 21 Jul 1795 England, and died 31 Dec 1853 Brownlow hill , Camden , NSW. He married Elizabeth Dove Perriman 1816 Rolvenden, Kent, England, daughter of Henry 4 Perriman and Elizabeth Dove. She was born 29 Jun 1793 Horsmondon, Kent, England, and died 22 Aug 1869 Camden , NSW. More About Jeremiah Battam: Arrived: 26 Jun 1838, Westminster As A: Free Person Burial: 02 Jan 1854, St John s Camden , NSW Occupation: Farmer, More About Elizabeth Dove Perriman: Arrived: 26 Jun 1838, Westminster As A: Free Person Burial: 24 Aug 1869, St John s Camden , NSW. Children of Jeremiah Battam and Elizabeth Battam, Henry Battam, Jane Battam, Ann Battam, Priscilla Battam, Alfred Battam. BAXTER George Thomas Land sales 1888/9 farm No 13 purchased 13 pounds per acre, George Thomas Baxter was born 07 Mar 1858 Mt.