Some Other Views of Mr Wiseman

Reverend John Dunmore Lang, the Hawkesbury and Mr Wiseman

"The sun was just beginning to descend beyond the distant Blue Mountains when we were suddenly delighted with the view of the broad Hawkesbury River, winding along in a deep valley far beneath us. In the upper part of its course the Hawkesbury flows through a champaign country, on which its own successive inundations have gradually deposited many feet of the riches alluvial soil: but, for sixty or seventy miles towards the ocean, the mountain ridges on either side of it approximate so nearly, that the river has scarcely room to flow between them; and it merely leaves a small patch of alluvial land, sometimes on the one side and sometimes on the other, as it sweeps more closely to the opposite bank.

At the point, however, at which the road to Hunter's River crosses its channel, the valley of the Hawkesbury is of considerable width: the river, which at this part of its course is at least a quarter of a mile broad, suddenly changes its direction: and, as it sweeps close to the precipices on the one side, it leaves a delta of alluvial land of several hundred acres on the other of the highest fertility. Nearly opposite this point of land it also receives a tributary stream called the First Branch, (MacDonald River) on either bank of which there are numerous small settlers located for a distance of many miles, as the rich alluvial land which the settlers chiefly cultivate is more frequently met with on the Branches than on the main river. The delta I have just mentioned belonged to Mr Solomon Wiseman, a very prosperous settler, whose large two-story stone house had been most opportunely transformed... into a comfortable inn; the situation of which, overlooking the delta and the river, and facing the mountains on the opposite bank, is interesting and romantic in the highest degree.

Indeed so much pleased were His Excellency, the late Governor and Mrs Darling with the scenery in this vicinity, that they rented a part of Mr Wiseman's house and lived in it for some time. ... The road, from the high level from which we had first seen the river to the plain below was formed across deep ravines and along the edge of frightful precipices, with prodigious labour and very great expense. It is an easy task, however, to descend a mountain by a good road. We were speedily at the foot of the precipices, and safely lodged in the inn." (John Dunmore Lang, An historical and Statistical Account of New South Wales, Vol 2, 1834, London, Cochrane and McCrone.)

This is a primitive watercolour, c1830, depicting Wiseman's Georgian-style Villa and its associated buildings. In the foreground can be seen Mr Wiseman, dressed in fine clothes, directing his stockman to work. (National Trust of Australia [NSW]) One can understand why Governor Darling rented part of the house.

Mitchell's account: The Hawkesbury River

Two years later, Surveyor General, Sir Thomas Mitchell rode along the same route:

"Early next morning my ride was resumed, after crossing the river in the ferry-boat, where the width is 280 yards. ... The scenery is fine on these broad and placid waters of the Hawkesbury, sheltered by the overhanging cliffs, 600 feet in height; they appear smooth as a mirror and afford access by boats and small vessels to the little sheltered cots and farms which now enliven the margin. These patches are of no great extent and occur alternately on either bank of this noble stream, comprising farms of from thirty to a hundred acres. ...

The ascent northward from this ferry on the Hawkesbury, is a substantial and permanent work. It affords a favourable specimen of the value of convict labour, in anticipating the wants of an increasing population." (Sir Thomas Livingstone Mitchell, Surveyor General, Three Journeys Into The Interior Of Eastern Australia, page 8, Mitchell Library, 981/2 D1-2)

Judge Robert Therry

Supreme Court Judge Robert Therry used to travel to Maitland along the Great North Road to hear court cases. He describes a journey in 1830, when he stopped overnight with Solomon Wiseman.

" ...The town of Maitland is now reached from Sydney by an agreeable sea route in four or five hours. In 1830, ... it was only approachable by a three days' ride on horseback over a rough mountain road ...

On the first of my three days' ride to Maitland I arrived at the house of Solomon Wiseman, a well-known Government contractor, whose comfortable residence occupied a beautiful spot of the river Hawkesbury, commanding a fine view of the mountain ranges, and of the gently-flowing Macdonald River in the distance. There was no hotel in the neighbour- hood; and at this period it was a privilege for any traveller to expect and receive hospitality at whatever place he might halt at the end of his day's journey. On this occasion I was particularly fortunate in my host.

He was quite a character - a person of great natural shrewdness and of considerable prosperity; for he was then engaged in the fifth year of a contract with the Government, for supplying provisions to convicts who worked upon the road, that brought him a net income of from £3000 to £4000 a year. His coming to the Colony had originally been occasioned by a difference of opinion with the Custom- house officers of the Isle of Wight as to the mode of landing spirits and cigars - his opinion being favourable to night-time, as best suited to the purpose. Be this as it may, in the Colony his conduct was industrious, and his character for probity irreproachable. I saw him often afterwards but never without a telescope in his hand, with which he kept a lookout for travellers as they descended a mountain pass on the opposite side of the river to his house. He gave to all a friendly greeting.

At the time I visited Solomon Wiseman, he was surrounded by all the substantial comforts that a farmer with a like income enjoys in England. His household consisted of his wife, an amiable Englishwoman, and four sons, remarkably fine youths, varying from thirteen to eighteen years of age. Being inquisitive how these youths were brought up, and how he provided for their education, I found his notion on the subject of education curious and original. He said education was a point on which he was not very particular; and asked me what was the good of it? - adding the observation that the acquisition of wealth was the main lesson of life.

I told him that, amongst other good things, 'Education aided in the acquirement of property.' 'Oh,' said he, 'my views are quite different. I have four sons; and I say to Richard, 'There's a herd of cattle for you,' and to Tom, 'There's a flock of sheep - look after them' so in five years' time they become rich, each the owner of large herds of cattle and flocks of sheep. Now that's what I call education, for by it they acquire means to live.'

... These four fine young men pursued the career their parent unwisely marked out for them; and before I left the colony, from improvident courses, they failed of success in life and became insolvents." (Extract from Reminiscences of Thirty Years Residence in NSW and Victoria by R Therry, London 1863)