Our Latest News and Activities
June 2021

MURRAY DISTRICTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Located at the Old Schoolmaster's House, Edenvale Heritage Precinct, Pinjarra. 

Our volunteers are there to greet you on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am – 3 pm, or by appointment.

 

The aim of the Historical Society is to research, collect, maintain and share stories of the Murray District that stretches from North Dandalup to Coolup, from West Murray to Dwellingup – and including the vibrant town of Pinjarra.  We have a well maintained local history library, interesting displays and a large collection of photographs, documents, and display books.

 

We also have a strong membership of enthusiastic people and are always looking for additional members to join us.  If you have a love of history, in particular of the Murray District, or if you have information to share, please visit us.  And if you like what you see, consider becoming a member of our group.  Our general meetings with a guest speaker are open to visitors.  Other events, including bus trips, are available to members.  All visitors are welcome to browse our collections during our ‘open’ hours or by appointment.

 

HOW INTERESTING IS THIS?

 

Naming of Ravenswood - Additional information

 

The Landgate website states:

RAVENSWOOD

Latitude 32° 35' S Longitude 115° 50' E

The townsite of Ravenswood is located in the south west region, 83 km south of Perth and 8 km south east of Mandurah.  It is located on a bend in the Murray River, and was originally the name of a property taken up in this area by Adam Armstrong in the 1840's. Armstrong's property was known as "Ravenswood Farm".  Ravenswood was known as a locality as early as 1895 and following private subdivision in the area in the 1960's the Shire of Murray requested the declaration of a townsite.  The townsite of Ravenswood was gazetted in 1970.

 

Submitted by:

Shellie Cummings

4X Great Granddaughter of Adam Armstrong

 

I wish to submit this additional information related to where the name Ravenswood came from so that this new information is added not only to our families history but to our States history.

 

The Armstrong Family story.

My ancestor, Adam Armstrong named Location 16 on the banks of the Murray River, “Ravenswood”.

In researching the naming of Ravenswood, I heard a common story from the various family lines of Adam’s descendants.  All said that Adam named his property of the banks of the Murray River after a location in Scotland in Melrose known as “Scott’s View” where there is a bend in the Tweed River similar to that on the Murray River.

 

In late 2019, my husband and I travelled to the UK to fulfil a lifetime dream of retracing Adam Armstrong’s life prior to coming to Western Australia on the ship Gilmore in 1829.

One of our many stops was at “Scott’s View”.  While we were sitting admiring the stunning view when my husband asked why Adam had named his property Ravenswood after this view.  I responded that I didn’t know.  Sitting next to us were two local gentlemen.  They had overheard me and one asked if we were Australian and what was our interest in this location.  I told them Adam’s story and that I was retracing his life prior to coming to Western Australia and just had to see this view for myself but as to why “Ravenswood” I didn’t know.  The two men smiled and then one said, “…Lass can you see the smoke between the trees on that bend in the river’.  I could see the smoke.  He then went on to say that the smoke was coming from an historic house which was called “Ravenswood”.  How Adam knew of this property we will never know, but it is possible he had visited this property when travelling or read about it or seen images, no matter how he knew, we now know conclusively where the name Ravenswood came from.  He would not have seen Ravenswood House as it stands today but rather an earlier version, as the current building was commenced in 1824, 9 years after Adam had moved his family to Cheshire, England.

 

The family mystery had been solved, knowing that the historic Ravenswood house stands on a bend on the Tweed River at “Scott’s View” explains where the name Ravenswood came from.  The property obviously created a lasting impressing on him, so much so that when Adam saw Loc 16 on the Murry River he named his property “Ravenswood”.

 

Research tells us that the “Ravenswood Estate” at Melrose has existed since 1775. 

Below are details of an early Ravenswood Deed.

Ravenswood Deeds, 1775, Bundle 17 number 1 Ext Disposition of the Lands of Old

Melrose, Gilbert Laing Esq to Walter Elliott, dated 25th May 1775 regd 1 May 1777.

Sasine heron in favour of Walter Elliott dated 6th recorded at Edinr 7 June 1777, held

by Turcan Connell Solicitors, Edinburgh

 

Ravenswood House, Scotland as it stands today.  It was originally built for Major John Scott, cousin of the playwright Sir Walter Scott who made his fortune in the East Indies.

 

House description and images are available for viewing at the Old Schoolmaster's House, Pinjarra WA

 

Source: https://www.knightfrank.co.uk/properties/residential/for-sale/ravenswood-melrose-scottish-borders-td6/edn130115

 

At the Old Schoolmaster’s House in Henry … Come and look through the House as there is much more history to see and learn about!

 

Do you have an interest in the history of Pinjarra and the Murray Districts?

If you would like to become one of our volunteers, please advise Jill on 0408 846 567 or by email alanjill37@hotmail.com

 

Follow our monthly articles in the Community Newspaper for more information about the history of Pinjarra and the heritage buildings of the Murray District.  And we always welcome any stories or photos you are willing to share with us.

 

And we welcome new members.

For information about the Murray Districts Historical Society, its membership and its activities, please contact

Anne Cubitt – Secretary  mdhspinjarra@outlook.com

 

For assistance with research or general questions about local history, contact Merv Beacham on 0417 986 838, or Val King on 0458 673 608

 

For more photos and stories of the rich history of the Murray, look at our Website murrayhistory.org.au/home or visit us at the Old Schoolmaster’s House within the Edenvale Heritage Precinct.

 

You can also Like us on Facebook here

 

We are grateful to all of our Sponsors, Supporters and our Volunteers

and we look forward to All Visitors during 2021.

 

Murray Districts Historical Society • Old Schoolmaster's House, Henry Street • Edenvale Precinct • Pinjarra Western Australia