This section gives an indication of population densities in the Towamba valley in the latter half of the 1800's and early into the 1900's. From the first selection of land by J.Walker Jnr., clearing and selecting by settlers gradually increased the valley's population.
Population numbers and some place names have changed dramatically over the century.


(All spelling in these articles are as in the original document.)

IN THE BEGINNING.......

Claims to Leases of Crown Land
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Sydney, 30th September, 1848

'Sydney Morning Herald' No date. [Perkins Papers]:
Claims to leases of Crown Lands beyond the settled districts are published under the name of Deas Thomson and calls for objections, if any, to be lodged…
72: Imlay, George, Bega (20,000 acres)
73: Imlay, Peter, Cobargo (400 acres)
74: Imlay, Peter, Murrah (1,000 acres)
75: Imlay, Peter, Double Creek (10,000 acres)
143: Walker, William, Kameruka
145: Walker, William, Yacklama (50, 760 acres
146: Walker, William, Tuambo (35, 200 acres) (Tuambo probably Towamba)

Maneroo District

No. 143
Walker. William
Name of run - Kameraka
Estimated Area - 192,640 Acres
Estimated Grazing Capabilities - 6,400 Cattle, 20,000 Sheep
Northern boundary, commencing at the north-east point of the Bega river, where the Government reserve of 3 miles from the sea coast strikes that river, thence along the south side of the said river until it is joined by the Benbooka River; thence south along the Benbooka River 2½ miles to the Bomlara old hut creek; thence crossing the river in a north-west direction to Bombara old hut and yard; thence in a similar direction along a dividing range to the north-east point of Numbugga fence, about 6 miles; thence along the north side of the said fence 3 miles to base of the Maneroo dividing range; western boundary, commencing at the north-west point of the Numbugga fence running south along the base of the Maneroo dividing range, round the base of the Benbooka Peak; thence north-west until it joins the road going up Nimitybelle Mountain from Benbooka; thence south round the base of the Maneroo dividing range to the road going from Tantawangala to Hibberd's Inn; southern boundary, from the road going from Tantawangala to Hibberd's as above, continuing in an east direction round the base of a branch of the said Maneroo dividing range past Woolumba Peak 2 miles or thereabouts to the west side of the sea coast range; eastern boundary, along the west side, commencing from the south-east point of the southern boundary as above, in a northerly direction along the base of the sea coast range, until it reaches the Government reserved line of 3 miles from the sea; thence north to the north-east point of the north boundary as above described; on the north boundary Mr. P. Imlay and Mr. McPhee are the occupants. The Maneroo range is the boundary on the south and west side, and the sea coast range on the east side.

No. 144
Walker. William
Name of Run - Stockyard
Estimated Area - 12,800 Acres
Estimated Grazing Capabilities - 3,000 Sheep
Northern boundary, commencing at a point about 2 miles north of the Stockyard old hut or Mataganah running in an easterly direction about 4 miles to the ranges; western boundary commencing at the north-west point of the above northern boundary running south-westerly and parallel with the Mataganah River for a distance of about 4 miles; southern boundary commencing at the south-west point of the above western boundary running easterly crossing the Mataganah River at a place where the road crosses from Mataganah or the stockyard to Yaclama; thence continuing easterly across the Honysuckle Flat Creek, and thence easterly for about 2 miles to the ranges eastern boundary commencing at the south-east point of the above south boundary, running north crossing the road from Panbula to the stockyard or Mataganah, to the north-east point of the north boundary as above described Mr. Benjamin Boyd, trespassing; on the north portion of the above run. No other near neighbours the boundaries being high mountains.

No. 145
Walker. William
Name of Run - Yacklama
Estimated Area - 5,760 Acres
Estimated Grazing Capabilities - 14,000 Sheep
Northern boundary commencing at the S.W. point of the south boundary of the stockyard, or Mataganah run, running E. along the said south boundary for a distance of about 4 miles; western boundary commencing at the N.W. point of the N. Boundary as above, running S.W. parallel with the Mataganah River, until the said line strikes the Towamba river, about 2 miles about the junction of the Mataganah and Towamba rivers; southern boundary commencing at the S. W. point of the W. boundary , running S.E. about 5 miles along the N. side of the Towamba River; eastern boundary commencing at the S.E. point of the S. boundary, run N.E. along and parallel with the Mataganah River until it strikes the N.E. point of the N. boundary on the N. is the Stockyard Run; on the W. Mr. Hibberd and Mr. Boyd's purchased land at Yacklama; on the south Mr. Hibberd; on the E. mountain ranges.

No. 146
Walker. William, Junior.
Name of run - Tuamba.
Estimated area - 35,200 acres.
Estimated Grazing Capabilities - 1,000 Cattle, 2,000 Sheep
Northern boundary commencing on the Tuamba River 2 miles or thereabouts, from Puricat Hut, running in an east direction about 4 miles toward the Jingerry Mountains, and from the same point on the Tuamba River in a west direction, until it runs into the Wag Wag ranges. Western boundary commencing at the north-west point of the above; north boundary running south nearly parallel with the Tuamba River, until its junction with the Wag Wag Creek, continuing along the south branch crossing the road from Towamba, to Mr. Lett's to rise of the said branch in the Wag Wag Mountains; thence south about 2 miles across the said mountains to the Puricat Creek, crossing that creek about 3 miles above the Puricat Old Hut, continuing south about 2 miles until joining the ranges. Southern boundary commencing at the south-west point of the above west boundary, running east round the base of the ranges to the foot of Mount Imlay; thence down both sides of the Towamba River for 6 miles or thereabouts; eastern boundary commencing at the S. E. point of the above south boundary running in a north-west direction, along the base of the ranges to the Jingerry Mountain, until joining the north-east point of the north boundary. N.B. - a large portion of the above ascribed run, is extremely mountainous and scrubby, and unavailable. Mr. Hibberd occupies the adjacent lands to the north divided by high ranges and Mr. Lett westward; mountains are on south and east sides.



Extract from: New South Wales Gazetteer and Road Guide
compiled by Robt. P. Whitworth. 1866

STURT (Co. Auckland), is a small agricultural village on the Towamba River, lying about 10 miles W. of Eden. Sandstone and tap rock.
Towamba (or Kiah) river (Co. Auckland) is an important stream, rising in the E. slope of the S. coast range, opposite Cathcart, and flowing in a E.S.E. direction into the S. arm of Twofold Bay, after a tortuous course of 40 miles through fine pastoral, and, to some extent, agricultural country. The township of Boyd stands near this river at its estuary, and it is fed by the Perica, Wog Wog, Jingo, and Matagana creeks. It drains, with these tributaries, an area of about 300 square miles. The geological formation is granite, passing into porphyry, and traversed by quartz dykes.

Extract from:
Geographical Encyclopaedia of New South Wales

by William Hanson. 1892

Counties, Towns, and Villages within the colony.
Auckland, a county bounded by Beresford and Wellesley on the W.; the dividing line of Victoria, S.; the South Pacific Ocean, E.; and contains 1,167,360 acres. It is about 60 miles in length, and 40 miles in breadth. The following places are within its boundaries:

Bega - Howe - Pericoe - Bemboka - Imlay - Puen Buen - Bimmil - Kameruka - Sturt - Bondi - Kanoonah - Tantawanglo - Boranda - Kiah - Tathra - Bowinda - Kocoboreeka - Towamba - Boyd - Mataganah - Victoria - Brebendowra - Meringo - Waalimma - Brogo - Mogila - Wallagaraugh - Bronte - Mokoreeka - Wallagat - Buckle - Morkerwah - Werriberri - Burragate - Mumbulla - Wolumba - Candelo Nalbaugh Wolumla - Cobra - Narrabarba - Wonboyn
Colombo - Nullica - Wyndham - Coolangubra - Numbugga - Yambulla - Eden - Nungatta - Yowaka - Genoa - Ooranook - Yuglamah - Gnupa - Panbula - Yurammie - Gooyan

This county is in the extreme S. of the territory, and adjoins that of Victoria. The rivers are the Brogo, Bemboka, Bega, Towamba, Panbula, and Genoa. The Brogo and Bemboka discharge their waters into the ocean at Tathra, and the Towamba into Twofold Bay. The mountains are Nungatta, Finlay, Mumbulla, Nimmitabil, Tennyson, Buckle, and Carlyle, and Yambulla and Wolumla Peaks.

'Dunblane' and 'Janco' homesteads, Burragate
'Dunblane' in background built by Alexander Binnie and 'Janco' in
foreground where Granny Binnie lived until she died in 1921.

Excerpt from: COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
STATE OF NEW SOUTH WALES

DIVISION OF EDEN - MONARO 1903

Towamba Polling-Place
Roll of persons entitled to vote under the Commonwealth Franchise Act of 1902.

SURNAME CHRISTIAN NAME SEX PLACE OCCUPATION
Arnold Eva F Towamba domestic duties
Arnold George M Towamba hotelkeeper
Arnold Sarah F Towamba domestic duties
Atkins Stephen M Towamba labourer
Beasley Benjamin M Towamba farmer
Beasley Caroline Mary F Towamba domestic duties
Beasley Florence Sarah Elizabeth F Towamba domestic duties
Beasley George M Towamba carrier
Beasley James M Towamba labourer
Beasley John M Towamba labourer
Beasley Joseph M Towamba labourer
Beasley Maria Margaret F Towamba domestic duties
Beasley Sarah Ann F Towamba domestic duties
Bennett Alfred James M Towamba farmer
Bennett Felix M Towamba farmer
Bennett Martha Mary F Towamba domestic duties
Binnie Albert M Towamba farmer
Binnie Alexander M Towamba farmer
Binnie Andrew M Towamba farmer
Binnie David M Janco Creek dairyman
Binnie Eliza Jane F Towamba domestic duties
Binnie James M Janco Creek dairyman
Binnie Jane Snr. F Janco Creek domestic duties
Binnie Jane Jnr F Janco Creek domestic duties
Binnie Margaret F Towamba domestic duties
Binnie Robert M Janco Creek dairyman
Binnie Sarah F Towamba domestic duties
Bollman Harmann M Towamba farmer
Bollman Rebecca F Towamba domestic duties
Brown Alexander M Towamba blacksmith
Brown Blanch F Sturt domestic duties
Brown Ethel Uginey F Towamba domestic duties
Brown George K. M Towamba labourer
Brown Marion May F Towamba domestic duties
Campbell George Snr. M Janco Creek dairyman
Campbell George Jnr. M Janco Creek dairyman
Campion Margaret F Towamba domestic duties
Campion William Edward M Towamba constable
Canty Annie F Towamba school teacher
Chamberlin Emily Alice F Towamba domestic duties
Chamberlin Stanley M Towamba farmer
Chapman Henry M Lyndhurst dairyman
Chigwidden Margaret Annie F Towamba music teacher
Clements Alice Ann F Towamba domestic duties
Clements Edward M Towamba farmer
Clements Eliza Ann F Towamba domestic duties
Clements Elizabeth Rebecca F Towamba domestic duties
Clements William M Towamba farmer
Dauson Thomas 11 M Towamba labourer
De Costa Alice Sarah Beatrice F Towamba domestic duties
De Costa Crace F Lyndhurst domestic duties
De Costa Henry M Janco labourer
De Costa James M Towamba labourer
Dickie Alice Jean F Towamba domestic duties
Dickie Hannah F Towamba domestic duties
Dickie James Thornborough M Towamba farmer
Dickie John Walker M Towamba labourer
Donnelly James M Towamba farmer
Donnelly Patrick M Towamba labourer
Doyle Dorothy F Towamba domestic duties
Doyle Roger Thomas M Towamba farmer
Driscoll Lucy Emaline F Boggy Creek domestic duties
Egan Kittie F Towamba domestic duties
Egan Maurice M Towamba dairyman
Egan Patrick M Towamba dairyman
Elton Amelia F Lyndhurst domestic duties
Geraghty Patrick Timothy M Towamba labourer
Gill Tessie Jean F Towamba music teacher
Greer Herbert Patrick M Towamba labourer
Greer Isabella Mary F Towamba domestic duties
Hartneady Berth Jane F Towamba domestic duties
Hartneady John M Towamba labourer
Hazelgrove Eliza Jane F Towamba domestic duties
Hazelgrove Robert M Towamba farmer
Heavens Llewellyn M Towamba labourer
Higgins Isabella Ann F Towamba domestic duties
Higgins Mary Ann F Towamba domestic duties
Higgins Robert M Towamba farmer
Higgins William M Towamba labourer
Hite Ada Catherine F Towamba domestic duties
Hite George Henry M Towamba storekeeper
Hite Isabella Mary F Towamba domestic duties
Hite Tom M Towamba storekeeper
Hite Tom Jnr. M Towamba labourer
Hyde Elizabeth F Towamba domestic duties
Jess James M Towamba farmer
Jess Jane F Towamba nurse
Jess Norah F Towamba domestic duties
Johnson Robert Henry M Towamba farmer
Johnson Mary Ann F Towamba domestic duties
Jones Alfred M Towamba mining registrar
Jones Robert M Towamba labourer
Keevers Herbert John M Towamba labourer
Keevers Joseph M Towamba labourer
Keevers Margaret F Janco Creek domestic duties
Keevers William M Towamba dairyman
Keevers Mary Ann F Towamba general servant
Kennedy Annie Helena F Towamba domestic duties
Kennedy Edward Walter M Towamba contractor
Kennedy Elizabeth Logan F Towamba domestic duties
Kennedy Jean Gertrude F Towamba domestic duties
Kennedy Patrick Sylvester M Towamba blacksmith
Kennedy Ophir M Towamba labourer
Kennedy William Francis M Towamba labourer
Kennedy William Francis Jnr. M Towamba dairyman
Keys Isabella Margaret Hills F Big Hill domestic duties
Laing Robert M Towamba labourer
Laing William Snr. M Towamba farmer
Lewis Mary Jane F Towamba domestic duties
M'Caffery Joseph M Towamba dairyman
M'Cloy Patrick M Towamba carrier
M'Donald Ada Florence F Towamba domestic duties
M'Donald Harriet F Towamba domestic duties
M'Donald Isabella Rankin F Towamba domestic duties
M'Donald James M Towamba farmer
M'Donald John M Towamba dairyman
M'Grath Edward M Towamba dairyman
M'Grath Elizabeth F Towamba domestic duties
M'Grath Jane F Big Hill domestic duties
M'Keachie William M Janco Creek factory manager
M'Leod Lucy F Towamba domestic duties
Mann Catherine F Towamba domestic duties
Mann David M Towamba farmer
Martin Elizabeth F Towamba domestic duties
Martin Emma Jemima F Towamba domestic duties
Martin George M Towamba storekeeper
Martin John M Towamba pensioner
Medlin Phillip M Towamba labourer
Mitchell Fanny F Towamba domestic duties
Mitchell Jane F Towamba domestic duties
Mitchell John Thomas M Towamba farmer
Moore Edward John M Towamba teamster
Moore Isabella F Towamba domestic duties
Parker George M Towamba labourer
Parker James Alfred M Towamba farmer
Parker Jessie F Towamba domestic duties
Parker May F Towamba domestic duties
Parker Samuel Snr. M Towamba farmer
Parker Samuel Jnr. M Towamba labourer
Parker Walter William M Towamba labourer
Piercy Sydney George M Towamba labourer
Pike James M Towamba farmer
Ramsey James M Towamba teamster
Ramsey ------------ F Towamba domestic duties
Rankin Eliza Jane F Towamba domestic duties
Rankin Hugh M Towamba dairyman
Richards Ann F Towamba domestic duties
Richards Robert Henry M Towamba miner
Roberts Ida Johanna F Towamba domestic duties
Roberts James Henry M Towamba farmer
Roberts John Charles M Towamba farmer
Roberts Margaret F Towamba domestic duties
Roberts Mary Ann F Towamba domestic duties
Roberts Mary Ann F Towamba domestic duties
Roberts Walter Patrick M Towamba labourer
Robertson Jane F Lyndhurst domestic duties
Robertson William M Lyndhurst dairy manager
Robinson Charles M Lyndhurst dairyman
Robinson Susan F Towamba domestic duties
Rossiter Charlotte F Towamba governess
Sawers Agnes F Towamba domestic duties
Sherwin Alice F Big Hill domestic duties
Slattery Emma Eliza F Towamba domestic duties
Slattery John M Towamba farmer
Solomon Florence Ann F Towamba domestic duties
Solomon Henry Herbert M Towamba teacher
Solomon Mary Ellen F Towamba domestic duties
Targett Eliza F Towamba domestic duties
Targett Henry M Towamba labourer
Targett Mary Jane F Janco Creek domestic duties
Tweedie Mary Jane F Big Hill domestic duties
Went Sarah Jane F Towamba domestic duties
Went Susanna F Towamba domestic duties
Whelan John M Towamba labourer
Whelan Mary Agnes F Towamba domestic duties
Young George M Towamba stockman
Young Isabella F Towamba domestic duties


Excerpt from: COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
STATE OF NEW SOUTH WALES
DIVISION OF EDEN - MONARO 1903

Burragate Polling-Place
Roll of persons entitled to vote under the Commonwealth Franchise Act of 1902.

SURNAME CHRISTIAN NAME SEX PLACE OCCUPATION OF EACH ELECTOR LIVING
Allen Eliza Annie F Burragate dairymaid
Allen John M Burragate dairyman
Binnie Annie F Burragate domestic duties
Binnie Arthur M Burragate farmer
Binnie Herbert M Burragate farmer
Binnie Margaret Verona F Burragate domestic duties
Binnie Rovina F Burragate domestic duties
Binnie Sarah F Burragate domestic duties
Campbell Hugh M Burragate school teacher
Campbell Rosalind F Burragate domestic duties
Elton Charles Campbell M Deep Creek dairyman
Hyde Benjamin Alexander M Burragate labourer
Hyde John Snr. M Burragate labourer
Hyde John Jnr. M Burragate dairyman
Hyde Lilian F Burragate domestic duties
Hyde Margaret Alice F Burragate domestic duties
Hyde Mary Ann F Burragate domestic duties
Hyde Matilda F Scarlet's Corner domestic duties
Hyde Maud Jane F Burragate domestic duties
Julin Selina F Burragate domestic duties
Keys George M Burragate farmer
Kraustuyver Annie F Burragate domestic duties
Kraustuyver Henry M Burragate dairyman
M'Caffrey Maud Mary F Burragate domestic duties
M'Lean John Robert M Burragate school teacher
Martin Hannah Matilda F Burragate domestic duties
Moore Maria F Burragate domestic duties
Ramsey Ann Adamson F Burragate domestic duties
Ramsey James M Burragate farmer
Robinson Caroline Christina F Burragate domestic duties
Robinson Maragaret Jane F Burragate domestic duties
Robinson Sarah F Burragate domestic duties
Robinson William M Burragate dairyman
Russell Jane F Burragate domestic duties
Russell Thomas Henry M Burragate labourer
Ryan Mary F Burragate general servant
Sawers Charlotte F Burragate domestic duties
Sawers George Edward M Burragate labourer
Sawers James M Burragate dairyman
Sawers John M Burragate labourer
Sawers Mary F Burragate domestic duties
Shipway Helen Jane F Burragate domestic duties
Shipway Samuel Thompson M Burragate postmaster
Targett John M Burragate labourer
Targett William M Burragate labourer
Tindall Arthur James M Burragate dairyman
Tindall Janet Adeline F Burragate domestic duties
Tweedie William James M Burragate farmer
Yelds James Andrew M Burragate labourer



EXTRACTS FROM SAND'S SYDNEY & NSW DIRECTORY 1915
County Commercial Towamba

Dickie. J.M. & J.T. - Butchers
Hartneady. John - Store
Kennedy. W.F. - Blacksmith
McCoy. Charles - Towamba Hotel
Robinson. Alfred - General Store

Name Location Horses Cows Sheep Acres (Totals)
Binnie. Alexander 'Log Farm' Towamba 5 70 20 1400
Binnie. Herbert 'Jerusalem' Burragate
Binnie. Arthur Burragate
Binnie. D.& J. Burragate
Bruce. Ernest 'Rose Brook' Nangutta
Doyle. T.J. & R.N. 'Daisy Hill' Towamba 5 72 0 955
Johnson. Robert. H. 'Oakleigh' Towamba 2 84 0 760
Love. Thomas Pericoe 5 61 26 680
Walters. James 'Mountain View' Pericoe 6 4 122 800


EXTRACTS FROM SAND'S SYDNEY & NSW DIRECTORY 1921
County Commercial
Eden - 120 miles south by steamer direct; or rail to Cooma, then motor daily (Sunday excepted).
Court of Petty Sessions, Bega Quarter Sessions.

Eden Pastures Protection Board
Secretary: H.H.B. Grime, Bega.
Stock Inspector: H. Hessin, Bega.

PASTORAL

Owner Post Town Horses Cattle Sheep Acres (Totals)
Alexander. Robert Pericoe 8 51 0 600
Beasley. B.D. Towamba 5 58 0 575
Binnie. D.& D. Towamba 12 202 29 1700
Binnie. A. Burragate 4 56 15 610
Binnie. T.& R. Burragate 3 89 0 786
Doyle. T. & R. Towamba 5 40 0 1075
Johnson. F.W.F. Pericoe 2 0 101 721
Love. Mrs.L.M. Towamba 5 156 85 unknown
Roberts. J.C. Towamba 4 80 0 700


Pericoe - 224 miles south - Steamer to Eden.
Alexander. Alfred E. - Farmer
Ramsey. Francis - Farmer

Alexander. Horace E. - Farmer
Ryan. John M. - Farmer

Brownlie. Alexander - Farmer
Ryan. Joseph H. - Farmer

Elton. Charles C. - Dairyman
Umback. Hubert - Farmer

Johnson. Robert H. - Farmer
Walters. James - Farmer

Love. Wm. - Farmer
Wood. Richard - Farmer

McDonald. John - Farmer

Towamba - 298 miles south - Steamer to Eden, thence coach.
Nearest bank - Eden

Beasley. Benjamin - Farmer
Martin. George - Wine Merchant

Binnie. David - Farmer
Mitchell. John T. - Farmer

Bollman. Mrs. R. - Farmer
Parker. Samuel - Farmer

Clements. William - Farmer
Parker. Wm. - Farmer

Dickie. John T. - Farmer
Richards. Robert H. - Farmer

Doyle. Roger T. - Farmer
Roberts. John C. - Farmer

Duncan. Henry - Dairyman
Robinson. Alfred - General Store

Hartneady. John - Store
Slattery. John - Farmer

Love. Tom - Farmer
Smith. John T. - Farmer

McDonald. John - Farmer
Tindall. Arthur J. - Farmer

McLeod. Kenneth - Farmer