Bridges and Early Buildings: Hobart to Broadmarsh Excursion - 1 Nov 1992
Publication No. 310 Size: A4 Weight: 220 grams
10C
HOBART TO BROADMARSH
This is our final Excursion for the year, and will be slightly different, as we will be exploring the Rivulets and Bridges and some buildings from Hobart to Bridgewater and Broadmarsh. Our last stop will be The Barracks at Pontville.
Interest shown at our Hobart Excursion as to where the first bridges were located in Hobart, resulted in my changing the format of this Excursion. I had intended to begin with the bridge at Bridgewater and continue up the Lower Midlands to Ross, inspecting the different types and styles of the bridges. Instead we will start at the Rivulet in Hobart and work our way north, past O'Brien's bridge and on through Austin's Ferry. Then from there to Bridgewater, Pontville and on to the Jordan River at Broadmarsh. There are many interesting land marks along this route and to add a bit of difference to our day we will try and find some more as we go along. Next year we may explore the Inns and Coach Houses up the Midlands Highway.
Again I would like to thank my Committee and all those who sent in articles and suggestions to add to the book. Also the Archives of Tasmania and the Tasmaniana Library for permission to use their records, and their continuous support. Mr Phythian for al lowing me to see Pitt Farm at c lose range and permitting me to bring the group up to see his house. Mr Schmull at Broadmarsh for his kind hospitality in giving permission to have our lunch on his property. And Mr Giddings for showing us over the Barracks at Pontville.
BIBLIOGRFHY
Alexander, Alison. Glenorchy 1804-1964
Brand, Ian. The Convict Probation System VDL 1839-1854 Bolt, Frank. Old Hobart Town.
Harrington, J.N.D. The National Trust in Tasmmania Jones, Alan. Convicts and Carriageways
Lord, Richard. Inscriptions in Stone St. Davids Burial Ground 1804-1872
Mather, F.& Woodbridge, J. Historic Hobart Sketchbook National Trust of Tasmania. Take it on Trust.
Schaffer, I. Land Musters & Stock Lists in VDL 1804-22 Schaffer, I. Private George Smith of His Majesty's Marines Schaffer, I. & McKay, T. Exiled Three Times Over
Schaffer. I. From Convicts to Settlers
Stancombe, G. Hawley. Highways in Van Diemen's Land
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PITT FARM - A SURVIVOR OF THE PAST
In August, 1802, Richard PITT, a 37 year old widower from Devon, and a painter by trade, again requested permission to go to 'Botaney' Bay, having received no answer to his request to go in the ship 'Glatton'. Learning that the 'Calcutta' was to sail in 'three weeks', he asked for permission for himself and his three children, 12, 9 and 7, to be included. It was the 24 April, 1803, another eight months, before the 'Calcutta' sailed from Spithead, and a further ten months before Richard PITT and his children, Salomi, Phillip and Francis sailed up the Derwent River, having 'elected' to remain with COLLINS party.
With a number of other:Free Settlers, they were taken to Stainsforth Cove, (New Town Bay) to establish farms for themselves and their families. A daunting task, but Richard PITT was among the most successful and before long a seven roomed, two storeyed brick house, graced the site, which a short time before, had been a virgin forest. The house still survives among the industrial buildings that surround it, the oldest farm house still occupied in Tasmania. It is thought to have been built about 1806, but one wonders if this date is a little early, for 1806-1807 were the famine years, and it seems hard to imagine a 'farmer' having either the time, or the money to invest in such a substantial house, hence a date of 1810-1812 seems more likely.
The original lOO acre grant has long ago been sub-divided and is now densely populated, and it is no longer possible to bring a boat up the creek at the bottom of the garden. Sports grounds and a busy intersection have been developed on the reclaimed area of the bay, and cars, trucks and buses have replaced the boats of long ago. Miraculously, throughout all the changes, the old house has remained. Richard PITT died at the age of 6l, l4 May, 1826, and with a small grandson is buried in St. David's Park. According to the family, Francis continued to farm 'Pitt Farm', which eventually changed hands in 1865. In the early 1900' s the present owner's forebears purchased the property and although it is clear to see some of the 'alterations' over the years, much of the old house remains in its original state.
Some years ago it was necessary to replace the verandah floor and the steps, but the original front door still opens into the entrance hall, from which the old narrow stairs lead to the two attic rooms above. Lifting the carpet of the 'front room' reveals the split timber flooring, still as good as the day it was put down, but lifting the rug in the 'sitting room' is even more intruiging, for a small trapdoor is uncovered. The steep, narrow ladder is the first thing to be coped with for those privilaged to go down into the sandstone cellar, but once down, a very large, dry area is discovered. Though no longer used, one can just imagine what has been stored there over the many years. A very safe place for the PITT family to be when bushrangers were about too.
The kitchen area shows many changes, and the sunroom is an obvious 'later' addition, but one which Mr Phythian enjoys. He can often be seen sitting and chatting to friends and,one hopes ,passing on some of ·his incredible stories of the past. He tells of the times when his mother was a small child at 'Pitt Farm, among other things. 'Elizabeth Farm', the home of the Macarthurs in Sydney, is well known and a 'National Treasure' but how many Tasmanians know of 'Pitt Farm' nearly as old and the original home of a HOBART TONN (1804) FIRST SETTLER, and his family.
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