In the early 1800s, small portions of land were made available for sale or tenancy to free settlers or to emancipated convicts. One of those was John Clarke, a convict transported in 1828 for seven years and allocated to work for the owner of one of the large properties in the area.

This view of the open land beyond the trees shows the general area where the Clarke family were tenants of a cottage (no longer there) on a small portion of land. Brick Kiln Creek, currently dry because of the drought, normally flows through the wooded foreground area.

Explored.