"When I settled down nearly under the Shadeless tree on which Mr Hume
carved the name Hume River on November 17 1824, I could little imagine
that so rapid a transformation would take place in a few short years,
my only companions a few blacks, the kangaroo, the emu, the native dog.
Now Albury can boast of it's newspapers, fine buildings, steam mills,
its churches, bank, court house, etc."
- ROBERT BROWN writing in 1857
The present twin cities of Albury and Wodonga began their days as "The
Crossing Place". Robert Brown was the first white man to settle on the
site of Albury, although Hume & Hovell had discovered the site in 1824.
He arrived in 1836, a few months after the first settlers "squatted" on
either side of the river where Albury-Wodonga now stands.
It was the same year that Major Thomas Mitchell explored Western
Victoria, re-crossing the Murray at Howlong, unaware settlement had
begun 32km upstream some months earlier.
Nearly 12 years had passed since Hume & Hovell had explored the region.
The long delay between discovery and settlement was due to the governors s
of New South Wales (which included what is now Victoria) forbade
settlement outside the "Nineteen Counties" around Sydney. No land could
be bought or sold, there were no roads and no Police protection.
Despite official disapproval, there was a gradual surge southwards by
squatters searching for new pastures. After 1836, the governors
grudgingly granted licences to settle.
In 1838, Robert Brown built the first dwelling in Albury (a slab hut)
near the Hovell tree - the one marked by the explorers (Hume & Hovell)
as they passed in 1824. Albury was gazetted as a town in 1839. The
cluster of huts multiplied, and a hotel for travellers was built nearby
(on the site now occupied by the Turks Head Museum). By 1844 Robert
Brown had provided the forerunner of the present Union Bridge: the most
primitive of punts ... hauled people across the water.
Sources:-
'The Book of the Murray' edited by GV Lawrence and GK Smith, published by Rigby, 1975. ISBN 0 85179 917.5 pp 111-112)
Rigby, 1975. ISBN 0 85179 917.5 pp 111-112)
BROWN, ELIZABETH - Obituary from the Albury Border Morning Mail
30 April 1915
OLD COLONIST DIES
Death of Mrs Elizabeth Brown - One of Albury's Pioneers
There died at her residence, South Albury, at a quarter to nine this
morning, one of the pioneer identities of the town, and one of the
oldest native born residents of the Commonwealth, in the person of Mrs
Elizabeth Brown, relict of the late Robert Brown.
Granny Brown, as she was familiarly and affectionately known amongst a
very wide circle of friends, came to Albury over 60 years ago, and for
almost the whole of that lengthy period had resided in the dwelling
where she died, adjacent to the lagoon which, even in official
municipal circles, bears her name. She was as Mr J.L. McEachern
remarked today, the towns oldest midwife, and in that capacity, for
half a century or more, she came in contact with all classes of the
community, in the early days of Albury, when the town did not possess
the medical and other advantages with which it is so well equipped
today. She was a woman of most kindly and charitable disposition, and
her unselfishness was unbounded; those who knew her intimately
recognised in her the proverbial "friend in need" and many people in
Albury will cherish kindly rememberances of her.
The late Mrs Brown was born in Liverpool Street, Sydney, on January 23,
1835 - two years before Queen Victoria ascended to the throne of Britain - so that she was in her 81st year. She was married in Sydney when she was in her 21st year, and about 12 months later left the "city" - Sydney was not much of a city then - for these parts. Accompanied by her husband and infant son, she travelled overland in a bullock waggon, and needless to say, the journey was a protracted and eventful one, their being little settlement indeed inland in those days. When near Tarcutta, the waggon went into a "rut", and Mrs Brown was thrown out. She managed
to throw her baby clear from the wheels, which passed over her own body
, seriously injuring her. However, the wives of the overlanders, as
Australian writers have recorded, were brave and hardy, and Mrs Brown
rapidly recovered. On arrival at Albury her husband engaged in
brickmaking, until his death 28 years ago. It may be re-called by old
residents that Mr Brown was hastening to a fire in Ebden Street when
he dropped dead as the result of heart failure.
The deceased lady leaves a grown up family of six sons and three
daughters; The sons are Robert (Sydney), James, William, Samuel and
Richard (Albury), and Charles (New Zealand), and the daughters
Mrs Daniel Robertson (Melbourne), Mrs Morrison (Melbourne), and
Mrs S Slater (Albury). There are 36 grandchildren and 11 great-
grandchildren. The only surviving sister of the deceased is Mrs J
Croucher, of Albury.
The late Mrs Brown, who, as indicated, had lived a strenuous life, was
a woman of remarkable energy and vitality, and her health did not
break down until about last Christmas. During the last couple of months
her death had been expected almost daily.
The interment will take place on Sunday afternoon, the cortege leaving
her late residence at 3.30 for the Albury Cemetery. The mortuary
arrangements are in the hands of Mr J.S. Adams.
