More than 100 people recently attended the launch of a book on Hunter Valley rogue and pioneer John Eales.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“John Eales of Duckenfield - the men and the mansion" has been published by the Paterson Historical Society and written by author David Brouwer.
The book charts the spectacular rise and fall of the Eales’ family fortunes over 149 years.
After arriving in Australia from England to take up a land grant at Berry Park near Morpeth in 1823, Eales tackled many business ventures.
A rogue with plenty of energy, Eales was respected and expanded his farming empire and built elaborate metal grain silos, believed to be a first for colonial Australia.
He survived the 1840’s Depression and eventually held more than 16,000 acres (6475ha) of freehold land in Maitland alone. He was involved in 240 land transactions during his lifetime.
Eales dabbled in horse racing, built a private racecourse, bred blook stock and erected Berry Park House, Berry House and Duckenfield House for his son John Jnr.
He had a passion for new investments such as steamships and was a driving force behind creating the Hunter River Steam Navigation Company in July 1840. The new company had three steamers built in England and Eales constructed a primitive dry dock on his riverfront land to service the company’s vessels.
The books retail for $40 and will soon be available at McDonald’s book store Maitland and Morpeth Museum.