Notes:

The pictured gravestone is at Saint Michael and All Angels Churchyard
Felton

Barbara — Richard Nichol. Richard was born 1839, Brinkburn, Northumberland, England; died 28 Nov 1909, Felton, Northumberland, England. [Group Sheet]

1. Dorothy Elizabeth Nichol was born 1894, Felton, Northumberland, England; died 12 Jul 1931.

Other Events:

• Burial: of Linden, Quat Quatta west of Albury on the Murray River
• Emigration: 1869, from Cowslip Hill, Felton, Northumberland
• Occupation: 1870; farmer

Notes:

Lived at Cowslip Farm on Cowslip Hill at Felton
He was a landscape gardiner in England at Linden Hall.
Arrived in Melbourne in 1868 or 1869 on the ship Cororra.
Proceeded to Wahgunya, where he worked for John Graham at his vineyard for two years.
He then settled at Burraja, selecting 58 acres in 1871, which he later increased to 266 acres. Of this he put 70 acres under ceral grains.
Newspaper article in CFP Fri, July 1893 re John Norman's death..arrived 1869? and settled in the Corowa District at Quat Quatta in 1871. He resided there until his death, being one of the oldest residents at the time. He had been ill for quite some time. He had one son and four daughters, the son being single at the time of his death. Buried at Hopefield Cemetery.

In 1870 John Norman selected land at Corowa, New South Wales. He named his
property "Linden" after Linden Hall, Northumberland, England, where he had
worked as a landscape gardener. John's property, "Linden" was part of the
96,000 acres "Quat Quatta Run" which was subdivided in one of the Closer
Settlement Schemes.

It is now 965 Hopefield Rd, Hopefield, 2646, lot 48.

Arrived in Australia on the Corrora in 1869, initially to help his wife's sister and brother in law John Graham with the vineyards they had established at Rutherglen. In 1871 they established a wheat farm, which they called Linden, presumably after Linden Hall, near Felton. They added to their holding until it consisted of many acres, and added also to the buildings until by 1900 it resembled a tiny township.

Before coming to Australia, Elizabeth exchanged letters with her sister Ann. Despite fire ravaging the office of the Grahams' winery, some of the letters Elizabeth and her sister Barbara wrote to their sister Ann in the 1850s survived as they were kept in a metal box which escaped the blaze. They were passed on to Ann and John's great-grandaughter, Jill Graham. I received copies thanks to Dorothy Singe, my cousin. (http://members.tip.net.au/~pchapman/eliznorm.html)

the two letters:
Cowslip Hill, Sept 18 1853

My Dear Sister and Brother,

I got well home last night and found all very anxious to hear how you got away and they were glad that I saw you safe into the Boat into the care of your husband who I am confident will prove to you both father and sisters towards you. I had to run to the station to be in time for the train. I was quite soon enough and got to Heaton in right time. I had no time to go to South Shield but that was no matter. Dear sister when you write tell us whither John saw my brother Robert and how they got the luggage to the boats.

I am thankful the weather is fine for you to begin with and if you are sick on your way to London it may better prepare you for your longer voyage. I hope you have not forgot anything. I cannot remember where you put the looking glafs but hope you have it safe. I am very sorry we did not make Tom [John Graham's brother] a mattress if it had only been straw we could have made it much better than those we saw in Shield.

I trust you will keep your spirits up my dear sister for your voyage tis a long one to look forward to but your trust I know is in him who watches all on land and sea. I have no fears for you once fairly settled in your new house.

Give our kindest love to John and tell him I was in better heart when I saw you looking more content when you were on deck beside him. Give my love to Tom and I hope his hand is getting better. Be sure to write before you sail and when ever you have an opportunity and do not only let John have all the writing but write a few lines yourself but John will give us more particulars for you never enter into details.

My uncle James was up yesterday afternoon and got your address for Martin Willis to come to see you in London. It will be much better if you get with the (Jeanette?) than waiting for another for the sooner you get off the sooner we may look for your safe arrival in Australia. Mind be kind to Tom for you have John and John has you and it will take you both to make one. Their were no letters yesterday for you but if any come today we will send them with this.

My father sends his kindest love to you and very good wishes for your wellfare. Jane, Barbara and myself joins in love to you all wishing you good bye and my dearest sister and safe voyage. Say everything kind to John for us for I cannot say anything I feel all the (sickering?) desire to be remembered to you.

I remain my dear brother and sister

Yours Affectionately Elizabeth Hogg

pansy.gif (7236 bytes)

Benwell Hall February 2 1859

My Dear Sister,

It is a long time since I wrote to you but I hope these few lines will find yourself and family well. I am glad to hear you have two such fine boys and hope they will grow up healthy and strong. What nice company they will be for you but you will not feel short of friends since John's brothers and sisters came out to you. I often think of that day I parted with you at Shields. What changes have come to pass since then.You and I have both a little world of our own to fill our mind but our dear father is gone. Thank God our old home is not gone for Barbara and Jane have such a comfortable house two rooms and my brother Robert lives in the kitchen. He looks so much happier since he came there. His two eldest daughters are grown nice young women and are in service in Newcastle.

My husband has a very good situation here only 3 miles west of Newcastle and we have two daughters, the eldest Barbara Jane 3 years old and Isabelle 1 year. They are two fine children at least so thinks their father and mother.

We were at Cowslip Hill a week last summer and B. Jane was there 5 weeks by herself and we are going again at Easter. We have a nice cottage and a good wage and our Mrs is very kind in giving me things for the children. She has 4 boys herself. I often wonder .....you...write to us before we got this situation.

John had a chance of going to Australia but I could not make up my mind to come. I wish you would write oftener. We are all so glad to hear from you. Jane and Barbara always sends us your letters. Jane was here a week this Christmas. I think she is rather str...and has her health rather better than she had. They are so kind to me and the children. I believe they are as fond of my oldest one as if she had been their own and so was my poor father. I hope you will receive this safe. Give my kind love to my two dear little nephews and allso to John and Tom and I hope they are both well. My husband joins in sending love to you all and I remain Yours Affectionately

Sister Elizabeth Norman

------------------------------
Yewen's Directory of the landholders of NSW (1900) lists John Norman via the Hopefield post office and states that he grew wheat. Note that there were only eight other people listed at the Hopefield PO.

Buried at Hopefield Cemetery

Notes:

Baptized 2 January 1790
Lived at Cowslip Farm on Cowslip Hill at Felton

Christopher married Mary Dixon 3 Jun 1815, Langwathby, Cumberland. Mary was born 1791, Cumberland; died 1837, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Baptized 26 April 1791 - Alston Cumberland England

William married Isabel Hodgson Dec 1788, Felton, Northumberland, England. Isabel (daughter of Christopher Hodgson and Tamar Jackson) was born 1755, St Andrews Penrith Langwathby Cumberland. [Group Sheet]