Eden Timeline

A Glance At Eden's Rich History TimeLine

From the early habitation of the Tharwa people of the Yuin Nation, through European settlement up to today, Eden’s affinity with the ocean is deep. Whales, whaling and fishing have played a large part in the development of the town. The Greenseas fish cannery was a major industry for 40 years in Eden.

Killer whales have been key players in the history of whaling starting with the Tharwa, 6,000 years ago, and ending with the Davidson whaling family. The Orcas are now returning to Eden and are part of the whale watching attractions. Eden, in Twofold Bay, was designated a town in 1843 by Sir George Gipps, Governor of the colony of New South Wales, Australia. George Gipps was Private Secretary to George Eden, Earl of Auckland, Governor-General of India from 1836 to 1842 and he had been First Lord of the Admiralty.

Timeline

1827
1827
1827

The schooner ‘Olivia’ lost near Twofold Bay.

1828
1828
1828

Captain Thomas Raine, then a Sydney merchant and whaler, put 25 men ashore in Snug Cove under the command of John Irvine to begin a shore-based whaling operation.

The Schooner ‘Amelia’ lost near Twofold Bay

 

1832
1832
1832

Peter Imlay en route from Launceston to Sydney in his chartered schooner ‘Elizabeth’ stopped in Twofold Bay in order to investigate the extraordinary rumours of wild killer whales assisting whalers. He immediately saw the potential of the wide bay with its safe harbours as a port for the rich pastoral areas beyond and decided to settle here and begin a whaling, agricultural and grazing venture.

1834
1834
1834

In a despatch from Governor Richard Bourke to Earl of Aberdeen, Secretary of State for the colonies 4th July, 1834 Governor Bourke communicated the proposal of Mr. James Atkinson, for the settlement of Twofold Bay, by means of emigration from the north of Ireland. Although Bourke objected to Mr Atkinson’s plan, he expressed himself in favour of the extension of the limits of location as far as Twofold Bay. The Earl of Aberdeen has stated in reply dispatch that “His Majesty’s Government are not prepared to authorise a measure, the consequences of which would be to spread over a still further extent of territory, a population which it was the object of the late land regulations to concentrate.”

 

Nov: The Home Government authorized the captain of HMS Alligator to seek and appropriate site for settlement.

 

Imlay Brothers Alexander, George and Peter set up a whaling station at Snug Cove
Fire consumes Messrs Imlay stores

1835
1835
1835

Gov of NSW Governor Richard Burke visited the Bay on board HMS Hyacinth.

1836
1836
1836

After Gov. Bourke’s visit approval was granted for the Legislative Council to issue licences to depasture vacant Crown Land beyond the limits of location. This legitimised the position of squatters like the Imlay Brothers who obtained licences over large tracts of land in the Twofold Bay area.

 

The Imlay Brothers sent the first recorded shipment of wool from Twofold Bay

1837
1837
1837

Despatch to Lord Glenelg, Secretary of State for the colonies from Governor Bourke 9 Mar:

 

“I am bound to state, that further reflection, and the advantages of personal observation, afforded by a recent excursion to Twofold Bay and the neighbouring country, have more than ever impressed me with the correctness of the opinions expressed in my dispatch of Jul, 1834. On the excursion alluded to I found the greater part of the vast tract of fertile land lying between the country of St. Vincent and Twofold Bay, depastured by flocks and herds attended by shepherds and stock men ; the pastures, already, contributing largely to the wealth of the colony, and exceeding in importance many of the districts where land is disposable by sale or on lease. An export of live stock, from Twofold Bay to Van Dieman’s Land had commenced, and is likely to increase…I would propose that a township be marked out at Twofold Bay…In the event of a township being established at Twofold Bay, it would be desirable to form a road from thence to Murard Plains, a part of which would pass over a rocky range of mountains. The remoteness of this work would render it a very desirable employment for the convicts”

1840
1840
1840

Establishment of a post once a week, connecting Broulee with Twofold Bay.

 

Dr Imlay undertook the post conveyance to and from Twofold Bay at his own risk, for twelve months gratuitously.

 

“His Excellency the GOVERNOR…deemed it expedient to open and make certain Parish Roads from Braidwood to Broulee, and from Broulee to Twofold Bay”

 

NSW Government Gazette Nov 25 1840

1842
1842
1842

Eden surveyed by Mr Thomas Townsend.

 

“His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to direct it to be notified, for general information, that a settlement at Twofold Bay will be opened to location in the commencement of the month of March, 1843, and that some town allotments, as well as grazing lands, will be sold as early in that month as circumstances will admit of. The sale will take place, in Sydney, in the usual manner; and further notice will be given as soon as the particulars are received from the Surveyor General”

 

Australasian Chronicle 10 Nov 1842

 

Benjamin Boyd commences operations at Boydtown assigning Oswald Brierly as manager.

 

Dec 7th: The Pathfinder Expedition – Oswald Brierly sets of on an expedition to the Monaro to investigate the prospect of a road between Twofold Bay and the Monaro.

1843
1843
1843

Jan 3rd: Pathfinder Expedition returns to Twofold Bay from the Monaro.

 

Captain Owen Stanley from HMS Rattlesnake surveyed the Bay with Lt Bamfield Yule.

 

9th March: The first sale of land in the township of Eden
Ben Boyd commenced building Boydtown. The Seahorse Inn built and proposed to base his Steamship Company at Twofold Bay

 

First cargo sent form Eden to London by Imlay brothers.