Ravenswood Snippets of History

A settler located on the Murray since 1839 was Adam Armstrong, who had shifted form Perth to develop the land he had acquired form Peel. As early as 1834 he had told the Colonial Secretary that he needed more land. His boys were growing up, and if they could not obtain their own farms they would have to leave the colony. The lads did not leave, but took up timber-cutting and the running of cattle on land leased from Peel.

At the end of 1838 Adam Armstrong advertised his Perth property, Dalkeith, for sale or lease. The family moved down to the Murray shortly after selling. George and John carried on with their timber-cutting on the Canning; Laura, Adam and junior and Christopher followed their father. They worked very hard to clear and develop the 1,200 acres acquired from Peel and named by them Ravenswood, and had several acres of wheat planted in the first year. In 1841 Adam Armstrong advertised this property for sale.

It would appear there were no takers, for the property was to remain in the family for another seventeen years.

In 1855 Christopher Armstrong applied for a free publican's licence for premises he had built not far from Peel's house. There was no other licensed publican in Mandurah at the time, and Armstrong argued that if Herbert's Bush Inn at Rockingham could have a free licence he should not be denied a similar permit. He was informed that, as his premises were within a town site this could not be issued, but that the amount would be reduced to £5. The licence was taken out in the following year. Armstrong's inn was situated to the north-east of Peel's house in the vicinity of the future Mandurah industrial area and on land previously owned by John Tuckey. Apparently he title deed was written on parchment made form sheepskin, and is still in existence.

The building used by Christopher Armstrong is said to have been of two story's, but was gutted by fire a few years later and subsequently rebuilt as a single story dwelling.

Old Adam Armstrong was still living at Ravenswood with his eldest son Adam, and family, and his sister, who had come out in about 1840 to keep house for him.

In 1853 old Adam Armstrong died, leaving Ravenswood to young Adam. He lived there with his growing family until 1859, when the property was sold to the wife of Captain John Thomas (Inn and the Commercial Hotel erected.) In 1876 Captain Thomas retired to Fremantle permanently, leaving Ravenswood in charge of his eldest son, John Frederick.

The Ravenswood Bridge was not built until 1899, but after completion the road from it to Pinjarra soon became the most popular one from Mandurah because it was shorter, and had fewer swampy patches than the old one.

Valuable Property (An ad for the Ravenswood property)

To be sold, of the Ravenswood, On the Murray, consisting of twelve hundred acres, a large proportion of which is superior what land; from 30 - 40 acres are cleared, from which only one crop has been taken. There is an excellent house, built in the cottage style, consisting of five rooms, with kitchen adjoining; also a barn, straw-shed, stable, stock-yard, an excellent spring of water by the kitchen-door, and every convenience required, - enclosed in a ring fence.

The crop of wheat this season was most luxuriant-abundance of hay on the property of the finest quality, any additional number of acres can be purchased adjoining.

Also to be sold, six hundred bushels of superior seed wheat, the cleanest in the colony, grown on the above farm this season; price 15s. per bushel.

Apply to proprietor, Mr Armstrong, at Ravenswood.

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