Murray's Run New South Wales Australia

Murray's Run is a small valley 15 km southwest from Wollombi and 7.5 km south west of Laguna, Murray's Run is approximately 350m above sea level.

The valley was discovered and settled by Europeans in 1822. After a prolonged drought in December 1822 Murray, his brother in law James Milson (1785 to 1872))and John Blaxland went cattle droving. They set off from Castle Hill and headed North.

Upon reaching the Hawkesbury River they swam their herd of 1000 plus cattle across the river near the location of the current bridge and headed upwards through the hill country. Reaching the escarpment they travelled along the mountain tops before descending into the valley.

Andrew Murray’s cattle were left in what was to be known as Murray's Run whilst Blaxland’s were left at Blanxland's Arm and Milson’s at Milson's Arm.

The rich valley pasture of Murray's Run sustained the cattle and formed the basis of healthy grazing properties. Andrew Murray was granted title to 1280 acres and squatted on an additional 1280 acres while waiting for the title to be granted. This land was eventually sold, and we later find Murray at Bathurst.^[1]

Major Thomas Mitchell NSW’s Surveyor General and the man responsible for the Great North Road mentioned Murray's Run in 1829, whilst surveying/exploring nearby. The Great North Road was the first road into the Hunter Valley it was built by 3000 convicts under conditions of considerable severity and hardship between 1826 and 1834. Remnants such as stone culverts, bridges and retaining walls remain, particularly in the area between Wollombi and Wisemans Ferry including the Murray's Run Culvert.

The most well-known settlers in Murray's Run are the Sternbecks. The family have lived in this area for more than 150 years.

A school used to operate on Murray's Run at Knight's Hill that School moved in 1896. At its peak the school had 100 pupils. The private school, built by the McKays and Sternbecks, was moved further up into the valley near the Sternbecks’ homestead. A plaque was erected in 1996 to mark the site.

The original inhabitants of the locality were either the Darkinjang, Awabakal or Wanaruah Aboriginal peoples, depending on the source. There are a number of historic Aboriginal sites in the surrounding countryside which is thought to have been used as a ceremonial meeting place. There are rock engravings, hand stencils, tribal markings and other images in caves, shelters and outcrops.

References

1. ^ {Hornsby Shire Historical Society ‎(comp)‎. Pioneers of Hornsby Shire, 1788-1906 : a history / compiled by the Research Committee of the Hornsby Shire Historical Society. Sydney: Library of Australian History, 1979}}

External links

Hornsby Shire Historical Society ‎(comp)‎. Pioneers of Hornsby Shire, 1788-1906 : a history / compiled by the Research Committee of the Hornsby Shire Historical Society. Sydney: Library of Australian History, 1979 [1]

Information about Great North Road [2]

The Convict Trail Project [3]

The Bucketty Book [4]