David Edgar 1812-1894

David Edgar, born 18 December 1812, at Moffat and baptised 21.12.1812 in Raecleughwas the first of the Edgars of Moffat to arrive in Australia. He left Leith, Scotland in the ship North Briton (Captain Fyans) but when the vessel reached Hobart on 15 December 1838, David Edgar became impressed by the then current glowing reports of the newly settled Port Phillip District. With other fellow passengers he landed at Point Henry, near Geelong which was reached a few days before Christmas 1838. Some months later the crew of the revenue cutter "Ranger" deserted to a man and the skipper, in his dilemma offered free passages to David Edgar and several others if they would work the cutter up to Melbourne. After a rough passage they reached the coast at what is now South Melbourne and were compelled, because of the shallows, to wade ashore. Guided by the lights of the young settlement the party pushed on and after being ferried across the Yarra by Mr Russell (later Mayor of Melbourne) they found lodgings, after some difficulty, at the British Hotel, which was then in the course of erection on the corner of Flinders Lane nearest the river - where the Sydney Hotel later stood.

David Edgar was engaged by the Bayley Brothers, pastoralists, of Werribee. His first job was to take charge of a draft of lambing ewes during Mr Bayley's absence in search of pasture for his dry sheep. Soon after Mr Bayley had left, the men employed to assist with the ewes and lambs deserted, leaving David Edgar single handed to attend to two flocks of sheep, one on each side of the river. Numerous wild dogs added to the young pioneer's difficulties, but for eleven days and nights these two flocks were safely shepherded without the loss of a single animal. In that time David Edgar subsisted on the pancakes which he was able to make for himself.

The story of the youthful shepherd's pluck and self reliance spread far and wide and has very much to do with his subsequent advancement. He remained with the Bayley's at Carngham until the expiration of his engagement in 1839. On 1 January 1840 he was engaged as Overseer by the Forlonge Brothers of Werribee, at a wage of 50 pounds for twelve months. A few months later the Forlonge's acquired the Grangeburn station (25,000 acres) just above Hamilton and David Edgar was put in charge at 100 pounds per annum. This was considered the most responsible billet of its kind in the Colony and required the care of some 12,000 sheep and 1200 head of cattle, besides horses. Heading a party of 16 persons, 14 of whom were to be employed at the Grange, David Edgar came into contact with a large party of natives near Lake Bolac. After a hostile advance they realised the good intentions of the whites and became friendly. Grangeburn was reached on 24 November 1840. Early in the following year the Arrandoyong run was taken up by David Edgar as a heifer station. This was before the town of Branxholme was thought of. The child of the first couple put in charge there was kidnapped by the blacks in the same year and never heard of again. Early in 1851 David Edgar and William Thomson discovered Lake Condah.

Mr John Hynter Patterson bought the Grangeburn Estate in 1842 and David Edgar purchased the interest of Mr Samuel Evans in the Bush Inn he was building at Second River (now Heywood) and for which a licence had been obtained. Here he remained from January 1842 until June 1849. John Dunmore Lang D.D. in his book "Phillipsland" written in 1846 says - "Twenty miles from Portland is a Bush Inn kept by a respectable Scotsman by the name of Edgar"; also "- there is some good land on the Second River which Mr Edgar had partly cleared, and, I have no doubt it will one day become the site of a considerable inland village. It is just the proper distance for one from the seaport. A Bush Inn in such a situation is a sure fortune to a man of steady habits, and I should say that Mr Edgar is, in a worldly point of view, a thriving man".

On a visit to Melbourne in 1849 David Edgar exchanged his hotel with Mr Owen Reilly for the latter's interest in the Mullagh sheep station (39,568 acres) near Harrow in which he was a partner with Mr Walter Birmingham. David wrote of his coming to the Harrow district, "In June 1849 I purchased Mr Reilly's right and interest in the Mullagh station and went in equal partnership with Mr Birmingham." He took possession on 1 July 1849 when there were "5308 head of sheep." He and his familt travelled from Heywood to reach Mullagh on 15 July of this year, after nightfall, on a reeking wet winter's night. The hut at Mullagh, which did duty as a homestead, was a miserable structure with an earthern floor, excepting a small space in front of the fireplace. There was no furniture beyond the usual euipment of a rough table and a few stools; stringy bark stretchers provided the beds. From 1848-51 he was the owner of Drumborg (5000 acres) on the Fitzroy River. In January 1850 Edgar and Birmingham leased Pine Hills Station (50,560 acres) from Mr C. P. Cooke, with 4,000 sheep, for 4 years, with right of purchase within that time. David Edgar and his family removed from Mullagh to the new property. Prosperous seasons were experienced and after 3 1/2 years the partners exercised their right of purchase.

The purchase money, extensive improvements, and the expenses for general management were met from the proceeds of the wool sales alone, and no stock was sold. During the year Bermingham died. In 1852, when the gold diggings began, the work on the Station was in confusion as every employee decamped. At this period the flocks were about 32,000 sheep.

A letter David Edgar wrote in 1851 revealed the added difficulty of coping with the sheep when the gold rush was taking the men away. He said they would have to start shearing early to get men but was sure they would "stand out for higher wages." "We are likely to be very short of hands on the station, three more men have left ... and I have not seen a single man seeking employment so that even now were it not for the blacks we would be badly off. The sheep are suffering very much, there is so much of the ground covered with water and the flocks being so large makes it very bad for getting them through the water. A great deal more of the run is wet than I suppose ever was seen by white man before, to help our misfortunes we have two flocks joined. The news from the goldfields are of a mixed kind and I keep expecting men will shortly be returning ... Mr Fitz Gerald could hire two or three of the emigrants by the "Tasmania" if they were country bred and likely men for shepherding on 30 pounds to 34 for a married man and two rations ... but unless he could get likely men I would sooner not have them as the best of them want a good deal of training ... all the usages and employments are so totally different from what they can have been used to." He also said at this time. "We got done with our footrotting last night, our hands are all sore from burns and cuts, knocks, etc., and mine, as usual, are the worse." It is quite clear that the early squatters were not afraid to use their hands as well as their heads.

David Edgar wrote from Mullagh to Mr Fitz Gerald on 8 May 1853, "I wrote you last post asking you to get Parker to send in his bill of charges etc. in connection with the immigrants. Hawkins I suppose is in town before this reaches you for the remainder of their luggage and the goods from Melbourne. The immigrants are doing very middling, they certainly seem to wish to do well, but they are very unfortunate in getting into the way of it. I have been keeping my patience with them and endeavouring to get them into the way of well doing. Mally is still bad with his foot but his boy and girl are minding his flock. March makes the best offer, although he has lost himself twice he always sticks to his sheep, he or perhaps his wife are rather unreasonable in their demands on the shop chit etc. for people who have earned nothing as yet; the following is a berbatim list of requirements in addition to the usual fit out and rations - 12 yards ticking, 10 yards brown sheeting, 6 yards print, box matches, 6lb soap, 3lb plums, 2lb currants, a wash tub, a little saucepan, a little boiler to cook in with lid, 12 yards black border, 1 yard black net, 12 yards ribbon, 6 cotton laces black, a little camphor, 2 mackintosh, 3 pairs stockings, 3 shirts, 2 south-westers, 1lb hops, 1 bottle yeast, vinegar, some rice and potatoes

"I have been out to where they are and she wants a great deal more her children have no comforts, poor dears, one of them will die if it does not get wine and some butter and milk; she also wants an extensive supply of medicine. I managed, whatever, to reduce the whole to some soap, a pea jacket and box of pills. The children are certainly poor sickly looking things and I intend sending stock-keeper out tomorrow with a little rice and potatoes." The regular rations were taken round the out-stations once a week and according to David Edgar's diaries, he often made this round himself, on Saturday or Sunday. No doubt he would cast an eye over the shepherded flocks at each out-station at the same time, for being in charge, his was a seven-day working week. Stock-keeper was virtually a shepherd on horseback, his duty being to muster up the cattle regularly and try to keep them within the boundaries of the unfenced run.

In 1843 Bermingham having died intestate, the Curator of Intestate Estates insisted on the partnership's properties, comprising some 96,000 acres, 38,000 sheep being offered at auction. No bid was offered. In 1855 David Edgar divided the estates into two equally valuable portions and Walter Bermingham's widow, given first choice, selected Mullagh. The Land Act facilities for acquiring pre-emptive selection was taken advantage of.

David Edgar's diary of 1856 indicates there were at least six shepherds, with a hut-keeper for each, often the wife. They lived at out-stations, Konepra, Bunup, Campbell's Lake, Potbrook and Wild Dog Swamp, with one at the home-station and Jacky, an aborigine, was with the being treated footrotty sheep at one stage. There appeared to be a quick turnover in staff, although some stayed a while. Some staff were recruited at other runs as they changed hands. Shepherding was very often a stepping stone to taking up a run with some sheep for oneself. After David Edgar visited his father and mother "at home" in Scotland in 1857, he arranged to bring out his brother James and family and sister Jess and her family "to shepherd". His brothers, Halbert and John, had come to him earlier on and Walter came in 1853 and was with him for many years. Walter's occupation when he came as an immigrant was given as "shepherd". Most of these members of David's family moved out on to land of their own eventually.[1]

David Edgar, having constructed a new homestead at Pine Hills and made other improvements, visited Great Britain from March - September, 1857. The Pine Hills property on the banks of the Glenelg about 6 miles from Harrow, remained in the Edgar family until 1936. The homestead is an unpretentious typical Old English type farm house, of brick, with gable ends and dormer windows. There is a quadrangular courtyard. A large brick bachelor's hall provides accommodation for visitors, and there are extensive and wonderfully irrigated gardens all about the homestead.

Other Stations owned by David Edgar were Bogalara 8,760 acres, near Chetwynd, from October 1867 to 1875; Tallangour, a subdivision of Kadnook, near Harrow, April 1870 to May 1878; Longlands West, near Harrow, from May 1877 onwards; and Kadnook, near Harrow, from July 1873 onwards. The Edgar's did not risk everything in their plunge forward to try and make more and more. They tended more to build up the properties they started with.[2]

David Edgar was prominently identified with local affairs. He was elected a member of the North Harrow Roads Board in 1862 and served until 1872, when the Board ceased to function, having been Chairman for four terms. When the Kowree Shire was proclaimed and replaced the Roads Board in 1872, he was elected to the Council, on which he served for twelve years continuously; President for four terms. He was appointed a J.P. for the western Bailiwick in 1864 and became Chairman of the Harrow bench, with which he identified himself until a few months before his death. he was one of the founders of Hamilton College[3].

Extract from "Victoria and its Metropolis Past & Present" written 1888 (NOTE: before printing this quote, check out the original book if possible)

David Edgar[4],

Gentleman, the proprieter of the Pine Hills station, a native of Dumfriesshire, Scotland, arrived in 1838 on the ship North Briton at Geelong. Worked with Bailey Brothers in Werribee (Carngham) then for the Furlong Brothers. In 1840 went to Grange where the town of Hamilton now stands. In 1842 went to Heywood. Owned an Inn for 7 years, Bought Mullagh Station in partnership with Mr Birmingham then bought Pinehills. In 1855 the property was divided. David Edgar took Pine Hills. Has been a JP for the western bailiwick since 1864 and member of the Shire Council for many years.

Very well respected councillor in the district for many years. His estate consists of 14,000 acres, his sons had 25,000 beside him.

He improved the locality in many respects.

Mr Edgar married in 1844 Sarah O'Meara from Ireland who came to Tasmania in 1830 with her parents. Came to Victoria in 1841. Has a family of 10 children, 3 sons, 2 daughters still living.

Leith

24 August 1838

Mr David Edgar

Sir,

We have this day and formerly received from you the sum of twenty five pounds stg in the steerage of the "North Briton". Capt Fyall, hence to Sydney.

We are Sir

Your Obediant Servants

John Broadfoot & Sons

Pp Albert A Broadfoot

Edinburgh

23rd August 1838

I certify that the bearer David Edgar was well known to me in his early years, and tho' I have met less with him of late I have reason to think very favourably of the steadiness and respectability of his character.

I have known many of his relations from my earlier years as steady, well doing honest people and I have much confidence that the young man will acquit himself to the entire staisfaction to those who may receive him into employment.

David Walsh

Professor of Church History, University of Edinburgh

David Edgar married on 21 May 1833, Sarah O'Meara of Launceston, Tasmania. She (who was born 18 April 1824) died at babba Mia on 25 September 1911. he died at Pine Hills Station on 25 August 1894, having had issue four sons and six daughter:

(A) Isabella Edgar, born 22 April and died 24 April, 1845

(B) Margaret Jane Edgar, born 22 February 1846 and died 16 August 1864.

(C) John Thomas Edgar, born 20 February 1848 at Double Corner, Portland, Vic. Educated at Scotch College, Melbourne. Managed Kadnook Estate from March 1872 until it was sold in 1911. Elected a Councillor of Kowree Shire in 1880, resigned in 1884; again entered the Council in 1888 and was a member until 1910. Was President of Kowree Shire, 1896, 1898 and 1908. Captain of Harrow Cricket Club in the year that Club won the Murray Cup. Has for many years lived in retirement with Mrs Edgar in Melbourne. married 5 April 1871 at Koonongwootong, Coleraine, Margaret Swan (born 31 January 1851, at Ardgarton Station near Digby, Vic).

Obituary: Mr J. T. Edgar, who died at the Old Colonists' Homes, North Fitzroy, was a Foundation Member of the Society of Edgar Families.

The eldest son of the late David Edgar, of Pine Hills Station, Vic., a well-known western District Pioneer, the late J. T. Edgar was born on 20 February 1848, at Double Corner, Portland, Vic., and was educated at Scotch College, Melbourne. He managed Kadnook Estate from 1872, until its sale in 1911. He was elected a Councillor of Kowree Shire in 1880; resigned in 1884; re-elected 1888 and continued as a member until 1910. President of Kowree Shire 1896, 1898 and 1908. A keen cricketer in his youth, he was partly responsible for the visit to England of the famous team of aborigines in 1866. He was widely known as a judge and breeder of Merino sheep.

The late Mr Edgar had lived in retirement in melbourne for many years. He leaves a widow, formerly Miss Margaret Swan, daughter of William Swan of Koonongwootong Station, Coleraine, Vic., and nine children. Three other children pre-Deceased the late Mr Edgar.

John Thomas and Margaret Edgar had issue nine sons and three daughters:

(1) David Swan Edgar, born 15 March 1872 at Pine Hills Station. Educated at Portland College. Shearing overseer at de Grey Station in North West Australia, unmarried.

(2) William Swan Edgar, born 2 October 1873 at Kadnook Station. Educated at Scotch College, melbourne. Manager of Mundarra Station, Edenhope, Vic. married in 1910 at Casterton Nellie Riddock Anderson of Sandford and had issue two sons and a daughter.

Marriage: At Melbourne, on 8 June 1940, Leslie Margaret, only daughter of Mr W. S. Edgar and the late Mrs Edgar, of Casterton, Vic., to James Graham Ochiltree, Lieutenant, Australian Staff Corps, younger son of the late Mr and Mrs W. B. Ochiltree, of Melbourne.

(3) Harold Swan Edgar, born 19 October 1875 at Kadnook Station. Mining Engineer, now Mine Manager. Member Air Board during Great War. married Rose Blanch Moore and lived at New West Minster, British Columbia, Canada. They had issue one son and four daughters.

(4) Viva Swan Edgar, born 4 June 1877 at Kadnook Station. married 1 January 1896 at Kadnook, Charles Frederick Youngman, of Retreat Station, Casterton. They had issue one son and one daughter.

(5)Edgar Swan Edgar, born 26 March 1879 at Kadnook Station. Commercial Agent. married mavis McMillian and had issue a daughter.

(6) Margaret Swan Edgar, born 6 March 1881, at Kadnook Station. married 19 June 1900 at Kadnook, Sidney Linden Officer, J.P.. Margaret and Sidney Officer had issue trhee sons.

Obituary: Mr S. L. Officer. We extend our sympathy to the widow and children of the late Mr Sidney Linden Officer who died early in February last. Mr Officer was born at brighton, Vic., in 1874 and was a grandson of Sir Robert Officer, first medical officer at Hobart. His father Mr Charles Officer, a well known pastoralist, represented Dundas in the Legislative Assembly. Mr Officer had extensive landed interests in the Goroke district and later bought Oakbank Station, near Heywood. He was a member of the Portland Shire Council for six years and was twice Mayor of the borough of Hamilton.

Mr Officer was at one time secretary of the Graziers' Federal Council, Australian Woolgrower's Council, Australian Sheep breeder's Society and the Australian Wool Board. In 1922 he joined the staff of the Graziers' Association and, in 1928, was appointed Scretary. He was Secretary of the first Empire Wool Conference in 1931, and of another Conference in 1937 when an International Wool Secretariat was established.

Mr Officer married Margaret Swan Edgar, second daughter of Mr and Mrs John Thomas Edgar, formerly of Kadnook Station, near Harrow, Vic., and grandaughter of David Edgar, the western District pioneer who took up Pine Hills Station, Harrow in 1850.

Mr Officer is survived by his widow and two sons:

Mr Mervyn Vivian Officer, a Commercial Artist and

Mr Vernon Wicker Officer who succeeded his father as Secretary of the Graziers' Association.

The eldest son, Charles Sidney Officer, died in childhood.

(7) Leslie Swan Edgar, born 19 December 1883, at Kadnook Station. married on 23 January 1906,at Kadnook, Keith Nicholson, of melbourne. They had issue two sons and two daughters.

(8) Ronald Swan Edgar, born 20 February 1887, at Kadnook. Educated at Geelong College. Station Overseer in Victoria and Western Australia. Served 10th Light Horse from outbreak of Great War, Gallipoli and Palestine; rank Sergeant. Killed at Zaza 19 April 1917. unmarried.

(9) Ian Swan Edgar, born 15 July 1889 at Kadnook Station. Educated at Geelong College. Served Great War with Camel Corps in Egypt. Wounded 1918. Retired to Portland. married on 7 July 1920 at Portland, Vic., Effie Rutherford Gibb of Portland. They had issue three sons.

(10) Walter Edmond Swan Edgar, born 7 July 1891 at Kadnook Station. Manager of Boonooke North Estate, Conargo, New South Wales. On outbreak of Great War joined 8th Light Horse, private, served Gallipoli until evacuation, then was transferred to France. Awarded the Military Cross at Pozieres and gained commission. Wounded at Bullecourt, but served in France until the end of the War. Rank Captain. unmarried.

(11) Otho Swan Edgar, born 8 January 1894, at Kadnook Station. Educated at Scotch College. Served Great War, 9th Light Horse Gallipoli, 1915. Member Exec. Council Society of Edgar Families. Soldier Settler Tresco, Vic., 1916-31. Real Estate Agent. married on 27 September 1915 at Silloch, Cumberland, Kathleen Irene Allan, of Penrith, Cumberland, England. They had issue one son and two daughters.

(12) Waldene Philip Swan Edgar, born 10 February 1899 at Kadnook Station. Educated at Scotch and Geelong Colleges. In England with Australian Cadets, on coastal work, 1914-17. Now Manager of Lal Lal Station, Yendon, Vic. On 22 May 1941, at Christ Church, South Yarra, Melbourne, he married Marchjorie Mary Woods of Melbourne.

(D) Isabella Edgar, born 11 May 1850 at Pine Hills Station. Acquired Babba Mia property near Harrow on which she resided. Member Australian Women's National League. Did Red Cross work for the Harrow Branch during the Great War. unmarried.

The death of Miss Isabella Edgar, of Babba Mia Estate, Harrow, Vic., took place on 23 November 1940, at the age of 90 years. Miss Edgar, who was born at Pine Hills Station , Harrow, on 11 May 1850, was the third and eldest surviving daughter of David Hope (1812-1894), who reached Port Phillip from Moffat, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, in December 1838. Miss Edgar acquired the Babba Mia property many years ago. She was a member of the Australian Women's National League, and did much valuable wotk for the Red Cross during the War of 1914-18.

(E) David Walter Edgar, born 6 April 1852 at Pine Hills Station, Died, unmarried, 5 September 1877.

(F) Sarah Jane Edgar, born 3 March 1854, died 5 April 1864.

(G) Walter Bermingham Edgar, born 23 March 1856 at Pine Hills Station. Educated at Hamilton College. Was owner until 1936 of Pine Hills Station. Councillor and Justice of the Peace. married 12 July 1882, at Kadnook, Jessie Swan, of Koonongwootong, Coleraine, Vic. She, who was born 11 June 1859, died on 24 August 1924, at Melbourne.

Obituary: Mr Walter Bermingham Edgar, (born 23 March 1856, at Pine Hills Station, Harrow, Vic.), third son of David Edgar, the pioneer pastoralist, died at Portland, Vic., on 22 February 1939. Mr Edgar disposed of the Pine Hills Estate to the late Mr T. Ellis, in 1936 and had, since that time, visited England with Mrs White, his daughter.

Although it is now just four months more than a century since David Edgar landed from Scotland, his eldest son Mr John Thomas Edgar, formerly of Kadnook Station, still survives as does his daughter Miss Isabella Edgar, of Babba Mia Estate, Harrow. The former, with Mrs Edgar attended the inAugustural meeting of this Society and still retains a keen interest in it work.

Has issue

(1) Oliver Walter Edgar, born 3 March 1886, at Pine hills Station. Educated at Hamilton and Geelong Colleges. Had pastoral experience on his father's Pine Hills property and in 1917 took over portion of this estate, now known as Nerrinyerie, on which he ran Merino sheep of the original strain of his grandfather's sheep. Member of Hamilton Club; Hamilton Golf Club; Barwon Heads Golf Club; Royal Automobile Club of Victoria. Captained Country Golf Team for Hamilton on several occasions. Won Country Golf Championship, 1926. married on the 21 March 1917, at Koolomurt Estate, Edith Mary Graham. They had issue a son and three daughters

(i) Oliver Edgar, born 1886 and died 1959, married Edith Haines, who was born in 1885. They had issue, one son and three daughters, namely Audrey, Jane, Jessie and David. David is the present "owner" of Pine Hills Station (as at 15 February 1976)

David Edgar was born in 1927 and married Elizabeth Howitt, and had one son and two daughter, namely Katherine, Richard and Elizabeth.

(2) Irene Victoria Edgar, born 27 June 1888 at Longlands Station, harrow. Educated at Oberwyl, St Kilda. married 24 June 1936, at Lynton, North Devon, England, Captain Ormond John White (who died at Lynton on 15 August of the same year).

(3) Jessie Dorothy Edgar, born 5 March 1892, at Longlands Station, Harrow. Educated at Oberwyl, St Kilda. married 1 July 1915 st Scots Church, Melbourne, Donald Elliot Calvert of Colac. no issue

(H) Alice Mary Edgar, born 13 June 1858, at Pine Hills Station. Educated Alexandra Ladies' College, Hamilton. Owned grazing property Korrimurra, Cluney, which she sold in 1923. Red Cross worker for Harrow branch during Great War. Died 2 October 1926, unmarried.

(I) James O'Meara Edgar, born 12 March 1861, at Pine Hills Station. Educated at Hamilton College. Managed Pine Hills Station until taken over by his brother, Walter Birmingham Edgar. Bought land at Casterton, Vic but subsequently went to Western Australia, where he died about 1902. married Eliza Clapham of Casterton, and had issue a daughter.

(J) Bertha Catherine Edgar, born 17 August 1863; died 17 June 1864.

[1]extracts from Burnt Eucalyptus Bark by Nancie Edgar

[2]from Burnt Eucalyptus Bark

[3]Hamilton Spectator 31 March 1887 and 2 April 1887; Phillipsland by J Dunmore Lang DD (London 1846); Early Pioneer Families of Victoria and Riverina A Henderson (Melbourne 1936)

[4]Victoria and its Metropolis Past & Present 1888