Pioneers of the Early Day

The old homestead of the English family – pioneers of 1852 – was built in 1854 by Mr. Dennis English on the land now occupied by the South Carlton Public School. The original old slab hut stood at the rear of the house, the front portion of which was built with some of the first stone taken from Blake’s quarry.

The home was the rendezvous of many friends, one of the regular callers at the homestead being old Jimmy Lounes, the “father” of an aboriginal tribe which existed in those days. Jimmy’s mission to the homestead was to ask for food, which was never refused.

Kogarah Park, English and Park Street intersection, circa 1993 (courtesy Georges River Libraries Local Studies Collection)

The old English paddock (which eventually became Kogarah Park) was used by residents of Glebe Point and old Parramatta Street as a picnic resort. Picnics would be arranged overnight and, with concertinas and mouth organs, bus loads of picnickers would journey to Kogarah, where they were welcome to enjoy the hospitality of old Granny English.

Believed to be Kogarah Council Engineer’s staff at Kogarah Park, 1921 (courtesy Georges River Libraries Local Studies Collection)

It is said that Larry Foley stayed at the old homestead, the night before he fought Sandy Rosa.

The old estate was uses as a racecourse before Moorefield was known, and many a race was won by the jockey Billy Kelso.

Mr. and Mrs. Dan Phillips, another old pioneer family, lived close handy to the English home. They had a quince orchard, which many old hands still remember.

Miss Doll Phillips was champion lady caller of New South Wales. One particular match was against a French woman for six days “go as you please”.

From the old English home came Alderman James English, Alderman Patrick English, and Alderman John English, the latter at one time being Lord Mayor of Sydney.

This article was first published in the June 1964 edition of our magazine.

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