History Notes Cobbadah Post Office and more!
9th February 2022
- History Notes
- No enquiries re history this week which is a first. The markets resume this week so be sure and call in for a look and perhaps pick up some honey or a plant, or a painting or some sewing – there is usually a wide collection to view and then you can sit and listen to the music.
- The story of Mr Dean and Mr Smith last week will have to be extended for a couple more weeks as the folder is even bigger than I thought. At this stage it is enough to mention that the first property purchased was Glenlyon and this was sold in June 1911 after the purchase of Nelia Ponds, near Julia Creek. The company was finally wound up in 1918 after the sale of the property and so it is likely that the brick homes – Nelia, Bronte and the Crowley home in Savoy St were all built around this time. The partnership was finally wound up about 1932.
- Another question has arisen about the early history of the Cobbadah Post Office. It was opened in January, 1868, by James Young who vacated the position in June the following year. Absalom Spicer then took over for a short time before the wife of the mail contractor was appointed in August 1869.
- Mrs Pinkerton and her husband moved to Grafton at the end of 1870 and local businessman, John Bridger took over for two years before the office closed due to ill feeling. John Bridger’s daughter, Mary Ann, reopened the office in November, 1875.
- Teo years later, Mary Ann married and changed her name to Mary Ann Hartwell. The Hartwells moved to Bingara and Annie Sinden took over the Post Office, then married Fred Crowley and soon moved to “Gowrie” leaving the Post Office with four more Post-mistresses during the 1880s.
- George Wilkinson took over the Post Office during the 1890s and he stayed until 1906. The brick Cobbadah Hotel had been completed by this time but he was having trouble finding anyone to take over the Post Office as they considered 65 pounds per annum insufficient for the work undertaken.
- A note reveals some of the business done in 1905 –
- Telegrams sent and received, annually – 1125
- Money Order transactions, per annum – 129
- Letters posted, weekly – 450
- In March 1907, Wilkinson advised that he had sold the Hotel to Mr Jeffries and that he did not want to continue with the Post Office. He would rent the office if required. This was the start of stability for the Cobbadah Post Office.