| Historical notes: | George Peat was born in Sydney in 1792. At an early age he undertook a ship-building apprenticeship with the Government Dockyards in Sydney and later worked as an independent ship-builder. Peat's first connection with the Hawkesbury region can be dated to the 1820s. During this time, Peat maintained a house at 247 Kent Street, Sydney, and a house in Portland near Wisemans Ferry (Johnson & Christie 1905: 13).
On 21 April 1831, Peat was authorised to occupy 60 acres of land at Fairview Point, Mooney Mooney, opposite Spectacle Island on the Hawkesbury River (RAHS 1943: 245). This land had been promised to Peat by Governor Darling in 1830, although it was not officially issued to him until 16 March 1840. On 4 January 1836 Peat was granted an additional 50 acres 'at the head of a creek flowing into the Hawkesbury River at its confluence with Berowra Creek.' (RAHS 1925: 198) This second grant was located opposite Fairview on the southern side of the river and was later known as Peats Bight (Schofield 1988: 42). These two grants represented his major landholdings.
Peat proceeded to build his 'Fairview' residence on the northern portion of his land at Mooney Mooney with his second wife Frances. The exact date for the erection of the house is unknown although it is estimated to have been built around 1840. Prior to this Peat may have squatted at his Peats Bight property, although no permanent residence appears to have been erected there. Fairview was described as being 'one of the best dwellings outside of Sydney' capitalising on the surrounding beauty of the Hawkesbury (RAHS 1925: 200). It was a two-storey sandstone building which featured two smaller structures to the rear.
By 1843, Peat had established a bridle track connecting Brisbane Waters with Sydney via Cowan. The blazing of this track appeared to have been initially motivated by the need to transport livestock and produce from his and neighbouring properties to market. It should also be noted that it is unlikely that Peat's punt was operating at this time although a punt was in operation by a Mr Taylor of Mangrove further upstream.
During that year, one of Peat's five daughters, Frances, died and was buried on the Fairview property. Whilst it may have been Peat's intention to build a family plot, neither he nor his wife were interred there. The site retains Frances' tombstone which reads:
'Sacred
to
the Memory of
Frances Peat,
Who
Departed this life
March 23rd, A.D. 1843.
Aged 19 years and 9 months.
Pray, dear parents, as you pass by;
Look on my grave, and do not cry;
But hope my soul has gone to rest
With my dear God, Whom I love best.'
It is difficult to ascertain whether any other bodies were interred at Peats burial ground at Mooney Mooney as only Frances' tombstone is evident. However, the death certificate of local resident Isaac Cole, who died on 20 May 1872, states that he was buried at 'Peats Ferry' cemetery. Records also show that William Burton was buried there on 31 August 1875, as was James Seymour on 1 November 1875 (Richmond 2003: 5-6). The uncertainty arises as both Kangaroo Point (on the southern side of the river) and Mooney Mooney Point were both described as ‘Peats Ferry’ during this period. Therefore such references may also refer to Brooklyn Cemetery near Kangaroo Point, although there are no records referring to their burial at this location either.
By 1844, Peat had established a punt across the Hawkesbury between Fairview and Kangaroo Point. The punt was described in the Sydney Morning Herald on 12 December 1844 thus:
'Mr Peat has at present a substantial horse punt afloat, which crossing the entrance of Mooney Mooney Creek where the tongue of land on which the property is situated, abuts into the main river to the opposite point, enables the traveller to save an immense extent of cheerless and difficult bush riding and conveys him into Lane Cove, about eight miles below Pennant Hills..'
Once the punt was in place, Peat opened Fairview up for travellers. The previous account continues:
'Mr Peat has been at considerable expense in fitting up his splendid new building, which in point of comfort, convenience and respectability we are credibly informed may vie with most the leading houses of accommodation throughout the colony.'
Another of Peat's daughters, Mrs Campbell stated that Fairview was run as an open-house for travellers, and that settlers of the Lower Hawkesbury gathered there for Sunday church services (RAHS 1925: 203). She also stated that the property was used by Lord Sherbrooke for numerous vacations, and that regular visitors included E.H. Hargraves and Captain Wiseman.
Following the success of the punt, pressure was put on the Government to find a better public route to the north instead of the Great North Road which had fallen into a state of disrepair. Peat's track was considered to be the most preferable route, and work on the road commenced in 1847 using convict labour. The road was opened to wheeled vehicles five years later (Schofield 1988: 42).
By 1850, Peat appears to have upgraded the ferry to accommodate the increasing traffic volumes. Deputy Surveyor-General, Captain Perry described the punt in 1850 as being like a 'chasse maree', having sails but worked by sweeps and wholly unfit for the purpose intended. It is implied by Perry’s statement that he foresaw the crossing as a major thoroughfare, rather than the stock transport originally envisioned by Peat. He recommended that the Government establish control over the crossing, which it did by 1852.
In 1854, the Colonial Secretary advised the Surveyor General that 570 pounds per annum should be spent on the maintenance of Peats Ferry Road between Sydney and Wollombi including the operation of a punt at Peats Ferry. At this time mail was run to Gosford via Peats Ferry Road, although Wisemans Ferry had replaced it as the favoured route by 1859 (RAHS 1943: 252). The ferry appears to have ceased operation by the 1880s.
In 1930, two new vehicular ferries, the George Peat and the Frances Peat, were established at the site following the upgrade of Peats Ferry Road by the Main Roads Board. These two ferries continued to cross the Hawkesbury until they were replaced by the Peats Ferry Road Bridge which was completed in 1945. The crossing was ultimately upgraded in 1973 following the construction of the Hawkesbury River Bridge and the Sydney to Newcastle Freeway.
George Peat died in Sydney on 9 August 1870. Following his death Fairview was left vacant for many years before being burnt down, after which time it was simply referred to as 'The Ruins'. Some time after the 1880s, material from the site was removed to construct a church elsewhere in the district (RAHS 1925: 204). In 1925, the remains of Peat’s property included the ruins of Fairview, a colonial oven and the gravestone of Frances Peat.
Currently, the grave is the only feature retained on the landscape although there is some potential for archaeological remains of Fairview and its period of occupation to be present. A number of other historic features are located in the vicinity on non-RTA owned land including a sandstone boat wharf, rusted ferry cables and timber piers. |
