Walter Butler (c.1807-1870)- the life of a 'currency' lad born in the colony of NSW: Walter Butler- Ch. 4: Shoalhaven Land Grant

Walter's land grant in the Shoalhaven area (Nowra)

Walter was granted 100 acres at Shoalhaven, 24^thJanuary 1830 by Governor Darling. [i] This was his second land grant.

The record states:

Grantee: Butler, Walter; no. of Acres-100; Situation-Lower Shoalhaven: Register no. 71, page 463.

Map of Nowra on the Lower Shoalhaven River showing Butler's grant

References to this land in the NSW Government Gazettes 1833-1850:

Govt Gazette 1840- p1033/34- land transaction

Sale of land on the Lower Shoalhaven River, “bounded on the North by the south boundaries of Walter Butler’s grant of 100 acres

Govt Gazette 1839- p125- land transaction

100 acres near Pig Island, Shoalhaven, near the head of the Crookhaven River bounded on the east by Walter Butler’s 100 acre grant. Price 12s/acre

Govt Gazette 1850- p1866- land transaction

Court of Claims

Following claim for Deed of Grant will be ready for examination of the Commissions.

James Graham of Greenhill Shoalhaven in opposition to William Graham Jnr

100 acres Count of Vincent, parish unnamed near Woorigee at Lower Shoalhaven commencing at NW corner of Layton’s land bordering Shoalhaven Road.

This land was located on an order of Governor Darling dated 24 Jan 1830 in favour of Walter Butler, who it is alleged on 15 Oct 1833 sold to William Graham the elder. The nature of the claim set up by applicants does not appear.

William Graham had three sons: William Graham Junior, James Graham and John Graham.

(NB. Colonial Secretary’s CGS1217, Indexes to registers of Land Grants and Leases, 1826-56 Item 2/7816 Reel 1105 Walter Butler Remarks: see Claims case C1300 in 2/1775)

One of James Graham’s descendants, the late Ann Pulvertaft, published a book in 2006 about her ancestors.- “James Graham… given a chance.” On p114/5, she made an interesting reference to Walter:

“The land on which this house (ie. William Graham’s) and the thriving little township of Greenhills is built (on the edge of Nowra, opposite Pig Island in the River- see map) was originally granted to Walter Butler. As usual, possession was only granted on the promise of the grantee to ‘reside and cultivate’” The author then referred to her ancestor’s brother, John Graham who lived in Sydney: “John had met Walter many times as he also lived near Market Wharf. In fact, they had often worked together outfitting ships. Both enjoyed high wages and the city life. Two years or so after his land was granted, Walter was delighted to accept Pa’s (Graham’s) offer of £25 for the sale of his claim. Raising livestock in such a remote area had little appeal to the young man.”

(Unfortunately Pulvertaft does not reveal her source of this information.)

William Graham had claimed a swampy block at Worrigee, south of Nowra, and his sons William Junior and James had been granted land near the Crookhaven River. William put the title of the newly acquired land at “Greenhills” in the names of his sons William and James. The author wrote on p122: “It was the 100 acres on the Shoalhaven, which he had bought from Walter Butler, that set a gleam in his eye. He had big plans.”

The family, who had been farming on a nearby property, “decided to move the whole centre of operations to Pa’s (William Senior) newly acquired rich acres. They called the property Green Hill. There was indeed a large green hill from which the land ran down to the river flats. It was, however, always called ‘Greenhills’ by the locals.” [ii]

Pulvertaft’s research reveals some interesting information: Walter was working “outfitting ships”, obviously using his cabinet-making skills, and earning good money. This reference to Walter’s association with the shipping industry makes sense given his close association with shipping and the shipping fraternity in his later life.

She also stated he was living near Market Wharf. However, the evidence for these claims has yet to surface. Possibly Walter was employed by James Underwood in his ship building industry.

contact butler1802 @hotmail.com (no spaces)

Link back to Introduction chapter:http://butlerfamilyhistoryaus.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/walter-butler-introduction.html

[i] The Index to Copies of Deeds to Land Grants 1826-1856 (relevant volumes 20-105, 118 and 138; AO Reel 2561 Registers of Land Grants & Leases; original located 7/497

[ii] Ann Pulvertaft, James Graham.. Given a Chance, Shoalhaven Historical Society, 2006, pages 114-115, 122

Sunday 19 August 2012

Walter Butler- Ch. 4: Shoalhaven Land Grant