The first land grants in the Richmond area were made on 20th September 1813, and the first stone of the Richmond Bridge was laid on 11th December, 1823. All traffic to Sorell and Port Arthur passed through Richmond at the time (because the Midway Point causeway did not exist) and it became the headquarters of the probation stations set up in the district. The Richmond Village was promulgated by Lt. Governor William Sorell on February 23rd, 1824 and by 1830 was the third largest town in Tasmania and an important military post and convict station. The Richmond Goal was started in 1825, five years before Port Arthur was built.
Richmond's heritage includes the St John's Catholic Church, the oldest Catholic Church still in use in Australia, the Richmond Bridge which is the oldest convict built sandstone bridge still in use in Australia, and the Richmond Primary School which has the oldest surviving primary school building still in use in Australia. The Richmond Anglican Church was erected in 1834 and the Coal River which flows through Richmond derived its name from coal deposits found along the banks of the river in the vicinity of Richmond.
Many other buildings were also erected during the period 1824 - 1850 and many of these can still be seen in and around Richmond. At least 56 places are listed on the Australian Heritage data base. These buildings make Richmond and its immediate surrounds a unique part of Tasmania, because of the great architectural unity of the buildings due to the common materials and period of construction. The district is a major component of Australia's colonial history.
A short history of the Richmond Fair
Fairs were run by the Richmond Market Association which was formed at a meeting at the Richmond Courthouse on Saturday 5th January 1828.
The Colonial Times newspaper of the day described the Association's role:
The Establishment of regular Fairs and Markets in Country Districts is calculated to advance the interests of the Colony,- not merely as affording a greater facility in disposing of agricultural produce, but because such established plans of meeting are favourable to that species of intercourse amongst the Settlers, which leads to the discussing of subjects relating to agriculture and the rural interests of the Colony, and discussions tend to promote public unanimity and private emulation in exertions for introducing an improved system of agriculture.
Fairs, markets, agricultural shows have been held in Richmond ever since with great success and popularity.
At the 1828 meeting, Richmond was described as being "well adapted to the holding of fairs, and the meeting of a Farming Society" Little has changed in over 180 years. Richmond remains a vibrant centre for agriculture. Local crafts, viticulture and tourism are also now popular features.
Richmond's heritage includes the St John's Catholic Church, the oldest Catholic Church still in use in Australia, the Richmond Bridge which is the oldest convict built sandstone bridge still in use in Australia, and the Richmond Primary School which has the oldest surviving primary school building still in use in Australia. The Richmond Anglican Church was erected in 1834 and the Coal River which flows through Richmond derived its name from coal deposits found along the banks of the river in the vicinity of Richmond.
Many other buildings were also erected during the period 1824 - 1850 and many of these can still be seen in and around Richmond. At least 56 places are listed on the Australian Heritage data base. These buildings make Richmond and its immediate surrounds a unique part of Tasmania, because of the great architectural unity of the buildings due to the common materials and period of construction. The district is a major component of Australia's colonial history.
A short history of the Richmond Fair
Fairs were run by the Richmond Market Association which was formed at a meeting at the Richmond Courthouse on Saturday 5th January 1828.
The Colonial Times newspaper of the day described the Association's role:
The Establishment of regular Fairs and Markets in Country Districts is calculated to advance the interests of the Colony,- not merely as affording a greater facility in disposing of agricultural produce, but because such established plans of meeting are favourable to that species of intercourse amongst the Settlers, which leads to the discussing of subjects relating to agriculture and the rural interests of the Colony, and discussions tend to promote public unanimity and private emulation in exertions for introducing an improved system of agriculture.
Fairs, markets, agricultural shows have been held in Richmond ever since with great success and popularity.
At the 1828 meeting, Richmond was described as being "well adapted to the holding of fairs, and the meeting of a Farming Society" Little has changed in over 180 years. Richmond remains a vibrant centre for agriculture. Local crafts, viticulture and tourism are also now popular features.
Known Local Names
WINSTON CHURCHILL SIMMONS
1827 - 1916
Winston Churchill Simmons was a candidate for the first Richmond Municipal Council election in 1861, but received only 33 votes. Four years later, in 1865, his bid was successful. In 1907, when he retired, he had served 42 years continuously as Warden - at the time, a Commonwealth record. He was renowned for not wearing a tie and his love of animals. Images of Warden Simmons hang on the wall of the Old Richmond Court House.
Winston Churchill Simmons was born in Hobart in 1827. In 1843, he served for a year on the survey ship Fly, which was surveying Bass Strait. He married twice: first, to Ida Goldie, daughter of Alexander Goldie of Laburnum Park, and, after her death, to Isabella Gunn, daughter of William Gunn, Chief Magistrate at Launceston.
Winston Churchill Simmons acquired his estate, which he named Churchill, in 1845. He later purchased Native Corners, a 200-acre property, formerly belonging to Thomas Kearney. Winston Churchill Simmons was a distant cousin of Sir Winston Churchill's family, and regularly corresponded with Lord Randolph Churchill, Sir Winston Churchill's father. Winston Churchill Simmons died in September 1916. His obituary, published in The Mercury, noted : Few men in Tasmania have been better or more widely known ... He was closely connected with a great military family, and he has been closely and intimately associated with every movement having for its object the progress and benefit of the district in which his life was spent. Of a most genial and kindly nature, brimming with sympathy for all in trouble, and ever ready to help a good cause, it is no wonder that Mr. Simmons was looked up to, respected and revered.
He was buried in St Luke's Cemetery, Richmond, with other members of his family.
THOMAS GEORGE GREGSON
1798-1874
Richmond's first local member of the Tasmanian Parliament was Thomas George Gregson who came to the colony from Northumberland in 1821. He was appointed to Tasmania's original Legislative Council in 1843 and was elected to the House of Assembly in 1854. He was the second Premier of the State briefly in 1857. He achieved a great deal for the Richmond district and beyond. He was the first President of the Richmond Agricultural Society and founder of the Racing Industry, organising the colony's first race meeting at New Town in 1827. He had the best pack of hounds in the colony and hunted across the hills between the Coal and Derwent Valleys.
In 1832 Thomas Gregson established an early newspaper, the 'Colonist' known as the Journal of the People and was charged and fined for libel by Governor Arthur. In 1836 he fought a duel with Henry Jellicoe, one of Governor Arthur's supporters and horsewhipped Henry Arthur, the governor's nephew. He was gaoled for three months and fined. the then enormous sum of 200 pounds. He was the leading opponent of the arbitrary power of governor and a strong advocate for democracy, anti transportation and trial by jury.
Thomas Gregson is probably the most colourful character ever to sit in the Tasmanian Parliament, well known as an orator, writer and painter. He remained in parliament until 1872 and died in 1874.
GILBERT ROBERTSON 1794-1851
One of Tasmania’s most colourful early settlers Gilbert Robertson was granted land including “Woodburn” just outside Richmond in 1823. Gilbert was born in Trinidad he was the son of a Scottish aristocrat and his West Indian mistress. He was sent to Scotland for an education and came with his wife and one child to Van Diemans Land in 1822. His turbulent career included time in gaol for libel when he challenged Governor Arthur’s arbitrary rule. Gilbert Roberston defended the rights of citizens and saw Tasmanian Aborigines as patriots protecting their land. He was a pioneer of agriculture in the Coal River Valley and served as Richmond’s Chief Constable. However in 1832 he was dismissed by Governor Arthur for serving wine to his assigned servants at the “Woodburn” Harvest Festival!!!
Gilbert Robertson was well known as outspoken Editor of the colony’s most influential newspaper the “True Colonist”, a position he used to continually criticize Tasmania s colonial administration.
He left Tasmania in 1844 to become Chief Administrator of Agriculture on Norfolk Island.
WINSTON CHURCHILL SIMMONS
1827 - 1916
Winston Churchill Simmons was a candidate for the first Richmond Municipal Council election in 1861, but received only 33 votes. Four years later, in 1865, his bid was successful. In 1907, when he retired, he had served 42 years continuously as Warden - at the time, a Commonwealth record. He was renowned for not wearing a tie and his love of animals. Images of Warden Simmons hang on the wall of the Old Richmond Court House.
Winston Churchill Simmons was born in Hobart in 1827. In 1843, he served for a year on the survey ship Fly, which was surveying Bass Strait. He married twice: first, to Ida Goldie, daughter of Alexander Goldie of Laburnum Park, and, after her death, to Isabella Gunn, daughter of William Gunn, Chief Magistrate at Launceston.
Winston Churchill Simmons acquired his estate, which he named Churchill, in 1845. He later purchased Native Corners, a 200-acre property, formerly belonging to Thomas Kearney. Winston Churchill Simmons was a distant cousin of Sir Winston Churchill's family, and regularly corresponded with Lord Randolph Churchill, Sir Winston Churchill's father. Winston Churchill Simmons died in September 1916. His obituary, published in The Mercury, noted : Few men in Tasmania have been better or more widely known ... He was closely connected with a great military family, and he has been closely and intimately associated with every movement having for its object the progress and benefit of the district in which his life was spent. Of a most genial and kindly nature, brimming with sympathy for all in trouble, and ever ready to help a good cause, it is no wonder that Mr. Simmons was looked up to, respected and revered.
He was buried in St Luke's Cemetery, Richmond, with other members of his family.
THOMAS GEORGE GREGSON
1798-1874
Richmond's first local member of the Tasmanian Parliament was Thomas George Gregson who came to the colony from Northumberland in 1821. He was appointed to Tasmania's original Legislative Council in 1843 and was elected to the House of Assembly in 1854. He was the second Premier of the State briefly in 1857. He achieved a great deal for the Richmond district and beyond. He was the first President of the Richmond Agricultural Society and founder of the Racing Industry, organising the colony's first race meeting at New Town in 1827. He had the best pack of hounds in the colony and hunted across the hills between the Coal and Derwent Valleys.
In 1832 Thomas Gregson established an early newspaper, the 'Colonist' known as the Journal of the People and was charged and fined for libel by Governor Arthur. In 1836 he fought a duel with Henry Jellicoe, one of Governor Arthur's supporters and horsewhipped Henry Arthur, the governor's nephew. He was gaoled for three months and fined. the then enormous sum of 200 pounds. He was the leading opponent of the arbitrary power of governor and a strong advocate for democracy, anti transportation and trial by jury.
Thomas Gregson is probably the most colourful character ever to sit in the Tasmanian Parliament, well known as an orator, writer and painter. He remained in parliament until 1872 and died in 1874.
GILBERT ROBERTSON 1794-1851
One of Tasmania’s most colourful early settlers Gilbert Robertson was granted land including “Woodburn” just outside Richmond in 1823. Gilbert was born in Trinidad he was the son of a Scottish aristocrat and his West Indian mistress. He was sent to Scotland for an education and came with his wife and one child to Van Diemans Land in 1822. His turbulent career included time in gaol for libel when he challenged Governor Arthur’s arbitrary rule. Gilbert Roberston defended the rights of citizens and saw Tasmanian Aborigines as patriots protecting their land. He was a pioneer of agriculture in the Coal River Valley and served as Richmond’s Chief Constable. However in 1832 he was dismissed by Governor Arthur for serving wine to his assigned servants at the “Woodburn” Harvest Festival!!!
Gilbert Robertson was well known as outspoken Editor of the colony’s most influential newspaper the “True Colonist”, a position he used to continually criticize Tasmania s colonial administration.
He left Tasmania in 1844 to become Chief Administrator of Agriculture on Norfolk Island.
