George Imlay

George Imlay was one of three brothers with Alexander (1794-1847) and Peter (1797–1881) who were Scottish-born pioneer settlers in southern New South Wales. They operated in the region as pastoralists, whalers and shipbuilders. A number of things in the area were named after them. These include Imlay Street, the main street in Eden, the Mount Imlay National Park and Imlay Shire (today part of Bega Valley Shire).

The ADB says George was born in 1794. If this is correct, he and Alexander were probably twins. George trained in medicine and came to Australia as a Royal Navy surgeon-superintendent, in charge of the medical care of prisoners on the convict transport Roslin Castle, in February 1833.[1] George joined Alexander on the staff at the Sydney Infirmary. He later joined his brothers in their pastoral, whaling and shipping activities in southern New South Wales.

In January 1838 George voyaged to South Australia with livestock. While there he joined with an acquaintance, John Hill, to undertake an exploration. They became the first Europeans to cross and re-cross the central Mount Lofty Ranges.[2] Commencing from the Torrens Gorge at Athelstone they explored the headwaters of this river, passing through the Birdwood and Palmer districts, to reach the Murray River at Mannum.[3] Despite discovering and describing many important geographical features within the region, they did not bestow any placenames.[4][5]

George was appointed a magistrate in April 1842, and was a Justice of the Peace by August 1844.[6] By mid 1844 he was reported to employ 100 men, and to control 1,500 square miles of land near Bega, described as, "superior to any in the Colony."[7] He died in 1846.

Later life and legacy

The brothers experienced financial difficulties in the economic depression that began in 1840. George died at Twofold Bay in 1846, and Alexander in 1847. Peter and his family moved to New Zealand in 1851 and settled at Balgownie, Wanganui, where he died in March 1881.[8]

Among the things named after Imlay brothers in the New South Wales area is Imlay Street, the main street in Eden, the Mount Imlay National Park and Imlay Shire (absorbed into Bega Valley Shire in 1981).

References

  1. ↑ "SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE". The Sydney Herald. III, (134). New South Wales, Australia. 7 February 1833. p. 2. Retrieved 10 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ↑ The Colonist, 7 March 1838, p. 2.
  3. ↑ "SOUTH AUSTRALIA". The Australian. 27 March 1838. p. 3.
  4. ↑ Register, 16 June 1838, p.3.
  5. ↑ Wellings, H. P. "Imlay, Alexander (1800–1847)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 24 November 2013.
  6. ↑ Historical Records of Australia (HRA) Series I, Vol XXII, p.20.
  7. ↑ HRA I, Vol XXIII, p.791.
  8. ↑ Wanganui Chronicle, 9 March 1881, p.2.

Further reading

  • Wellings, H. P. "Imlay, Alexander (1800-1847)". Australian Dictionary of Biography.
  • Howard, Mark (December 1998). "The Imlay brothers account book, 1837-1840". Tasmanian Historical Research Association’s papers and proceedings. 45 (4): 229–236.
  • Wellings, H. P. (1966). Pioneers of Eden: The Imlay brothers: Peter, George and Alexander. The author.
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