History Notes - the families at lived at Barraba Station

History Notes

Last week we dealt with Barraba Creek Station's foundation and this week I will attempt to list those who actually lived at Barraba Creek.

Unfortunately, there were a number of different names and then several deaths and finally a serious court case before the Lillis family became involved.

John Hoskisson was a very astute businessman who could neither read nor write but, when he died in 1874, he had property to the value of one hundred and fifty thousand pounds in Windsor and northern NSW. His will, consisted of six foolscap pages and was signed with a cross.

The eldest son, Thomas, was given Barraba Creek Station. While young John took up Yaggaba on the Gwydir river, Samuel, the youngest son also spent time on the properties but resided in Windsor.

Thomas, actually lived at Barraba Creek Station with his wife, Margaret nee Cameron. They were married in Maitland in 1852 and became the parents of six children - Sarah, John, Thomas, Mary Ann, Margaret, and Jane. Sadly, Thomas died as a toddler in 1862 and was buried on the bank of Barraba Creek. In 1868 their mother died from breast cancer and was also buried on the bank of the creek.

The story now becomes even more complicated as Thomas, left with 5 young children, married again in 1873 at Muswellbrook. His wife was Caroline Davis, 30 years his junior. They had two sons -James Davis Hoskisson who married Emily Hagan and Thomas Joseph Davis Hoskisson.

Thomas Hoskinson died in January, 1880, and left his brother-in-law, Joseph Davis, as trustee of his estate. This turned out to be a dreadful mistake as Joseph had a drinking problem, spent most of his time in town and did almost nothing on Barraba Creek Station. Caroline, Joseph's sister, and Thomas' widow married S. J. Lillis and the following year there was a long and complicated court case ending with the Lillis family taking over the property. Joseph Davis died in Tamworth a couple of months later leaving a young wife and two babies - it is quite likely that drinking was the cause of his death.

I hope this has not been too complicated for readers. The Cameron story is not as complicated and I hope to supply that next week. The Davis family remained in the Windsor area with the exception of Caroline who lived at Barraba Creek Station and in Barraba for many years.