Name/TitleS.S. Steamship "Great Britain" & mining and farming pioneer, Hugh Harris
About this objectShort history of the 'Great Britain' and family story of Scottish passenger, Hugh Harris and his descendents.
After his arrival in Melbourne in 1852, Harris sought his fortune in the gold mines in Beechworth. Later, after marriage, he settled in the nearby town of Stanley but by 1865 he sold his water and mining rights and bought land as a free selector in Corryong.
His Corryong property was called "Hunter's Plain". The homestead, built in 1870 on Parish Lane, is typical of vernacular Australian design with its hipped roof and encircling verandahs. Its walls of locally hewn stone are a notable feature. The property has since been classified by the National Trust.
Hugh Harris and family were early pioneers to the Upper Murray region. Harris built and managed the first school on his land in Corryong and also provided land and helped build the Presbyterian Church. He lived in the Corryong area until his death in 1913.
(Box 061-17) MS 001188 : includes reference to goldfield and mining; free selecting; farming in and around Beechworth; building of schools and churches.
People : Miles, R. W., Pearson, J. Beechworth, Briggs, James, Duffy Land Act (1862), Hamilton, Alan, Harris family, Harris, Hugh, Harris, James, Kiell, Robert Gordon, Lawson, 'Bricky', Ross, Stewart, Steel, Jane.
Paper presented at the RHSV 'SS Great Britain' Conference, 2002, by Stewart Ross, great-grandson of Hugh Harris. This conference was designed to mark the 150th Anniversary of the migrant ship's first voyage to Australia with over 700 passengers.
MakerRoss, Stewart
Maker RoleAuthor
Date Made2002
Subject and Association KeywordsStrzelecki, Paul Edmund de, Sir, 1797-1873.
Subject and Association KeywordsGreat Britain (Ship)
Subject and Association KeywordsMonuments and memorials
Subject and Association KeywordsRoyal Charter (Ship)
Subject and Association KeywordsBeechworth (Vic.)
Subject and Association KeywordsMcMillan, Angus, 1810-1865
Subject and Association KeywordsCudgewa (Vic.)
Subject and Association KeywordsDuffy Land Act
Subject and Association KeywordsNational Trust of Australia (Victoria)
Subject and Association KeywordsEmigration and immigration
Subject and Association KeywordsStanley (Vic.)
Subject and Association KeywordsUpper Murray district (Vic.)
Named CollectionManuscripts Collection
Credit LineDonated by Stewart Ross
25 Doolan St.,
Werribee, Vic
3030
Object TypeDocument
Object numberMS 001188 (Box 061-17)
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved