New England Timelines - the 19th century

I have started the timeline section by adding material from the Clarence Valley Time lines. I will add further material progressively.
1830
Richard Craig escaped from Moreton Bay Penal colony.
1835
Craig pardoned...told story of the “Big River”.
1838
John Small sailed to the Clarence on board “Susan”
Cedar-getters arrive on Clarence River
1839
Ship building yard and timber business established by Phillips & Cole
Big River named “Clarence”
Eatonswill Station established by the Mylne Brothers.
1840
Route from Tablelands made - “Craig’s Line”
Ramornie Station established by Dr. Dobie
Post Office opened 1st October - Arthur Price postmaster
Yulgilbar taken up by Ogilvie.
1841
First store on Grafton side near mouth of Alumny Creek by Bentley.
1842
“Clarence Settler’s Arms” hotel opened near Christopher Creek - Proprietor Durno.
Rev. J. McConnell appointed 1st resident Anglican clergyman - Grafton & Clarence.
1843
First marriage recorded. Henry Wall married Bridget Connel?
Baptism of Mary Ann, daughter of Samuel and Arabella Avery.
1844
Birth of George Miller son of Samuel and Arabella Avery.
1847
First Court held at Grafton, 5th April
Court House built on river bank Victoria street.
Surveyor, W. W. Darke, surveyed the town of Grafton.
1850
Rev. John Gibson appointed Presbyterian Minister.
1851
First sale of Gafton town blocks.
1852
Government assisted school opened - other private schools beforehand.
1854
Anglican Church built in Duke Street Grafton
Five acres granted on river at Grafton to Grafton Steam Navigation Co.
1856
Grafton School of Arts formed................. Arrival of 182 German immigrants in March.
1857
First RC church on Nth. Coast opened at South Grafton.
1859
Clarence & Richmond Examiner printed in Grafton June 28th
First Grafton race meeting officially held
German Club formed at Grafton
Grafton proclaimed a Municipality 28th July. J. E. Chapman, mayor.
1860
......... Volunteer Rifle Corps formed................... First Catholic School opened in Church at South Grafton....................Township of Copmanhurst gazetted.
1861
......... Methodist Church commenced in April - Cnr. Prince and Fry Streets................... Baths built on river bank................... Henry Kendall engaged as solicitor’s clerk in Grafton................... Hand powered punt used for river crossing................... Branch of Ancient Order of Royal Foresters formed................... New Court House opened on Cnr. Duke and Victoria Streets.
1862
......... Telegraph Station opened................... Grafton Hospital opened. .................. Father Murphy appointed resident priest................... Clarence River Jockey Club formed in August................... Gaol opened in Victoria Street.
1863
......... Big disastrous flood recorded................... First harbour works at Clarence Heads.
1864
......... Branch of Oddfellows Lodge first opened at Grafton.
1866
......... Formation of Clarence Pastoral and Agricultural Society................... Foundation Stone of St. Marys laid................... Post Office in South Grafton opened................... Ramornie Meat Works opened - Joseph Page manager.
1867
......... Bishop Sawyer appointed Anglican Bishop of Grafton................... St. Marys opened................... South Grafton School opened as private school.
1868
......... Bishop Sawyer drowned................... First steam punt at Dobie St. was commissioned................... Catholic School opened in Grafton.
1869
......... Earl & Countess of Belmore visited Clarence................... Opened Belmore sugar mill at Ulmarra................... Free Presbyterian church commenced. .................. Royal Theatre erected in Pound Street.
1870
......... Solferino Goldfields opened up.
1871
......... Tannery established cnr. Prince and Hoof Streets................... Grafton Grammar School established by Frederick Newton................... Free Presbyterian church commenced................... Public School Buildings opend Cnr. Queen and Bacon Streets.
1872
......... Clarence and New England Railway League formed.
1874
......... Foundation stone of Cathedral laid. .................. Grafton Argus Newspaper established................... Council adopts a ‘Tree Planting Policy’................... Post Office foundation stone laid................... Bawden Bridge opened April.
1875
......... Lutheran Church established.
1876
......... Memorial Park at Boulevarde dedicated................... Lutheran Church built cnr. Alice and Oliver Streets.
1878
......... Grafton Grammar School new building opened in Mary Street................... Post Office building on present site opened.................. Shares offered in Grafton Gas Lighting Co.
1879
......... Commercial Bank of Sydney constructed cnr. Prince and Fitzroy Streets. .................. Volunteer Fire Brigade commenced.
1880
......... Court House constructed on present site.
1882
......... Wreck of SS New England.
1884
......... Christ Church Cathedral dedicated................... Salvation Army commenced................... AMP building constructed by Wm Kinnear................... Arrival of Sisters of Mercy.
1885
......... Grafton proclaimed a city................... Grafton Volunteer Water Brigade founded................... Baptist Church opened in March.
1886
......... St. Andrews Presbyterian Church opened.
1888
......... Fisher Park gazetted................... The Grip newspaper founded by Baptist Clergyman Henry Beecher................... “The Barn” erected on old showground site.
1889
......... Zietsch’s Cordial Factory commenced................... First milk separator in district demonstrated at Grafton Show.
1890
......... Largest recorded flood (8.13m) in March.
1891
......... Grafton District Cricket Association formed.
1892
......... Grafton Dairy Company began operations................... Grafton Cycle Club formed.
1893
......... Gaol opened on present site. ................... Floods in February (7.95m) & June (7.45m)
1894
......... Aruma Benevolent Home opened.
1897
......... South Grafton Municipal Council formed................... Town Hall & Council Chambers erected in Prince Street................... “Examiner” business moved to School of Arts Hall Prince Street.
1899
......... McKittrick Park dedicated................... Grafton “Clarion” Newspaper established at South Grafton.Back to Timelines entry page.