Kilkevan and Cockatoo Point - Donald and Malcolm McLaran's Properties at Oakey Creek, St Ruth
Jun 2015 View of Kilkevan - home of the McLaran family between 1879 - 1890.
This St Ruth property adjoins the well-watered Oakey Creek, in the corner of Worthington Rd (named after Clive Worthington, the 3rd owner) & Duncan's Rd (named we assume after either Donald McLaran's first child, Duncan James b. Dec 1879, or Donald's brother Duncan who died in 1879).
The St Ruth holdings in 1881 consisted of 3 lots:
This St Ruth property adjoins the well-watered Oakey Creek, in the corner of Worthington Rd (named after Clive Worthington, the 3rd owner) & Duncan's Rd (named we assume after either Donald McLaran's first child, Duncan James b. Dec 1879, or Donald's brother Duncan who died in 1879).
The St Ruth holdings in 1881 consisted of 3 lots:
- Lot 294 (called "Kilkevan" and selected by Donald in 1873 - 74) 320 acres.
- Lot 295 (selected by Malcolm in 1873 - 74) 320 acres.
- Lot 296 ("Cockatoo Point") 320 acres purchased in 1881 by Malcolm from William Ross. After Malcolm's death, all 3 lots were owned by Donald McLaran and became collectively known as "Kilkevan". The property name was retained by future owners, McLennan and Worthington.
1874 Survey plans - Lots 294 to 296
Kilkevan and Cockatoo Point: selection and purchase timelines
Lot 294
Lot 295
Lot 296
Lot 294
- 16 Dec 1874 Lot 294 was selected by Donald McLaran at a cost of £19/-/- to cover the first year's rent and a £7 survey fee.
- 28 May 1879 Dalby Land Court considered application for Certificate of Fulfilment by Donald McLaran.
- 25 Oct 1879 an inspection of Donald McLaran's Lot 294 recorded that the northern and southern boundaries were unfenced, the only building on site was a small wool shed and the property was unstocked.
- 1882 An inspection of Lot 294 confirmed the existence of a "slab house" and a woodshed and the property was fully fenced.
- 1883 The deed for Lot 294 was prepared.
Lot 295
- 16 Dec 1873 Malcolm McLaran applied to select Lot 295. He signed the application in his own hand (spelling his surname "McLeran"), declared he was "the head of a family" and that he had not entered into a dummying arrangement with any other person.
- 24 Sep 1874 Malcolm McLaran paid £19/-/- to cover the first year's rent and a £7 survey fee for Lot 295.
- 28 May 1879 Dalby Land Court considered application for Certificate of Fulfilment by Malcolm McLaran
- 28 May 1879 Malcolm McLaran signed a declaration that he had not alienated any part of Lot 296. Again Malcolm signed his surname "McLeran", in the same hand as he signed documents in 1868 and 1874.
- 25 Oct 1879 an inspection of Malcolm's Lot 295 recorded that the northern, southern and western boundaries were fenced, there was a locked weatherboard cottage, signs of habitation and several cows were grazing on the lot.
- 24 Nov 1879 Certificate of Fulfilment covering Lot 295 issued to Malcolm McLaran.
- 29 Nov 1881 The deed for Lot 295 was prepared.
Lot 296
- 28 May 1879 Dalby Land Court considered application for Certificate of Fulfilment by William Ross.
- 23 Feb 1881 In preparation for the transfer of Lot 296 from William Ross to Malcolm McLaran, auctioneers and commission agent J.S. Jessop acknowledged that the spelling of the new owner's name was in fact "McLaran".
- 12 Oct 1881 Malcolm McLaran made an Application to Purchase Lot 296 at a price of £23/5/-. The lot was previously selected by William Ross.
- 25 Oct 1881 Deed for Lot 296 issued to Malcolm McLaran.
|
Land Court 28 May 1879
Applications for Certificates of Fulfilment lodged for Lots 294, 295 and 296 |
Kilkevan - 20th property map showing proximity to Dalby; Google Earth view
A lambing report from Kilkevan, soon after Donald's marriage
30 Aug 1879 Dalby Herald
NOTES AND NEWS.
Not withstanding the unfavourable weather, the lambing is in some places turning out well. Mr. D. McLaren of Oakey Creek, out of a flock of 300 ewes has secured 60 per cent.
30 Aug 1879 Dalby Herald
NOTES AND NEWS.
Not withstanding the unfavourable weather, the lambing is in some places turning out well. Mr. D. McLaren of Oakey Creek, out of a flock of 300 ewes has secured 60 per cent.
Kilkivan Chapel on the road to Machrihanish, Argyle
Q & A: Questions and (possible) Answers:
Many interesting questions arise from the story of Kilkevan. Here are but a few.
Q1. What is the origin of the name "Kilkevan"?
A1. The origin of the name can not been confirmed but it is possible that it is a misspelt farm name (Kilkivan) from Argyle. On the road between Campbeltown and Machrihanish, opposite Kilkivan Chapel a farm called Kilkivan which is little changed from 1850. The name Kilkivan means literally "the chapel of St Kevin". Perhaps Donald spelt the name as he had always heard it pronounced. It is possible that Donald worked at Kilkivan farm, as his whereabouts in the 1851 UK Census remain a mystery. Younger brother Duncan was working nearby at Lossit in 1851.
Q2. Was Donald eligible to select land at St Ruth several years after selecting Frogmore?
A2. It is doubtful he was eligible under the strict terms of the Homestead Act.
Q3. Why did Malcolm and not Donald purchase William Ross's Lot 296 in 1881, at which time it appears that Malcolm have been suffering from dementia?
A3. The 1878 Haran purchase carried a bank loan. The sale of Frogmore in 1879 would have assisted Donald's financial situation. Malcolm should have had ready cash in 1881 following Duncan's death in 1879. "Students" of this website will recall that Duncan had the following substantial possessions on his demise and Malcolm was the sole beneficiary:
Q4. Who was William Ross?
A4. William Ross selected Lot 296 at the same time as the McLarans selected Lots 294 and 295. He named his selection "Cockatoo Point". He was most likely the son of an early Dalby settler, Hugh Ross 1797 - 1862. If so, William was born in Scotland in 1826 and died in Queensland in 1889. Records show a "Mrs Ross" as nurse for the birth of Malcolm Lewis McLaran at Kilkevan on 18 Aug 1886.
Q5. Why did Malcolm and Donald select at St Ruth?
A5. Donald McLaran's first rural holding, Frogmore, was a stepping stone to better land at Kilkevan in 1871 and the remote Haran in 1878. St Ruth, well watered by Oakey Creek with deep black soil and devoid of stoney ridges, was a very fertile block of land.
Many interesting questions arise from the story of Kilkevan. Here are but a few.
Q1. What is the origin of the name "Kilkevan"?
A1. The origin of the name can not been confirmed but it is possible that it is a misspelt farm name (Kilkivan) from Argyle. On the road between Campbeltown and Machrihanish, opposite Kilkivan Chapel a farm called Kilkivan which is little changed from 1850. The name Kilkivan means literally "the chapel of St Kevin". Perhaps Donald spelt the name as he had always heard it pronounced. It is possible that Donald worked at Kilkivan farm, as his whereabouts in the 1851 UK Census remain a mystery. Younger brother Duncan was working nearby at Lossit in 1851.
Q2. Was Donald eligible to select land at St Ruth several years after selecting Frogmore?
A2. It is doubtful he was eligible under the strict terms of the Homestead Act.
Q3. Why did Malcolm and not Donald purchase William Ross's Lot 296 in 1881, at which time it appears that Malcolm have been suffering from dementia?
A3. The 1878 Haran purchase carried a bank loan. The sale of Frogmore in 1879 would have assisted Donald's financial situation. Malcolm should have had ready cash in 1881 following Duncan's death in 1879. "Students" of this website will recall that Duncan had the following substantial possessions on his demise and Malcolm was the sole beneficiary:
- two horses,
- two saddles,
- a bank receipt for £197,
- a cheque of Mr Wills,
- another £13 or £15,
- another one for about £3 by a Mr Aitken.
Q4. Who was William Ross?
A4. William Ross selected Lot 296 at the same time as the McLarans selected Lots 294 and 295. He named his selection "Cockatoo Point". He was most likely the son of an early Dalby settler, Hugh Ross 1797 - 1862. If so, William was born in Scotland in 1826 and died in Queensland in 1889. Records show a "Mrs Ross" as nurse for the birth of Malcolm Lewis McLaran at Kilkevan on 18 Aug 1886.
Q5. Why did Malcolm and Donald select at St Ruth?
A5. Donald McLaran's first rural holding, Frogmore, was a stepping stone to better land at Kilkevan in 1871 and the remote Haran in 1878. St Ruth, well watered by Oakey Creek with deep black soil and devoid of stoney ridges, was a very fertile block of land.
|
Q6. Why did Malcolm sign his surname “McLeran”?
A6. It appears Malcolm was consistent with this spelling of his surname. See Family Names. Q7. How long after Donald and Clara married did the McLaran family live at Kilkevan? A7. The sale proceeds and the income from Kilkevan and Haran eventually allowed Donald and his growing family of 5 children - then aged between 2 and 11 - to move to Dalby around 1890. There he built a home and the McLaran Cordial Factory. Donald and Clara must have thought that the decades (4 decades for Donald, almost 3 for Clara) of hard agricultural work were now firmly behind them ..... Q8. When did Donald and Clara commence to live continuously at Kilkevan? A8. Duncan James McLaran's birth certificate suggests that Clara may have been residing in Dalby in December 1879, despite it inaccurate reference to Frogmore. By March 1883 however, Kilkevan was considered a suitable place for the marriage ceremony of Jane Rider's daughter, Isabella, and Andrew Glover. |