Homer's Paddock
Source: sixmaps
Mathew Pitman Homer owned Happy Valley Farm near Gulgong.
Mathew Homer married Ellen O'Connor in Mudgee in about 1846 (NSW BDM 441/1846 V1846441 31C). Their children included:
- ALBERT E - born in Mudgee in 1861 (NSW BDM 9795/1861)
- MARY E - born in Mudgee in 1866 (NSW BDM 11409/1866)
Ellen died in 1871, aged 39. Mathew later married Clarissa Cooper and had 8 more children.
- MAY MIRIAM - born 1877 (NSW BDM 16004/1877)
- CHARLES P - born 1878 (NSW BDM 17099/1878)
- FREDERICK GEORGE - born 1880 (NSW BDM 18990/1880)
- MATTHEW EARNEST - born 1881 (NSW BDM 21368/1881)
- JOSEPH M - born 1883 (NSW BDM 24022/1883)
- MERCY - born 1884 (NSW BDM 25770/1884)
- HANNAH J - born 1886 (NSW BDM 4901/1886)
- RUBY K - born 1890 (NSW BDM 15014/1890)
- ANNIE G P - born 1895 (NSW BDM 12980/1895)
NEWS ITEMS
1871 - Gulgong MarketA quarter interest in Homer's paddock sold at the rate of £200 full share.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 20, 1 July 1871
1871 - DEATH
Died - Ellen , wife of Matthew Homer, 27 November, at their residence at Happy Valley Farm, aged 39.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 42, 2 December 1871
1872 - ANNIVERSARY DAY
1872 - St. Patrick’s Day.
1872 - St. Patrick’s Day
1872 - Easter Monday
1872 - The Pound
1872 - Reward
Lost horse - William Kitchen - near Homer’s Farm, Happy Valley.
Died - Ellen , wife of Matthew Homer, 27 November, at their residence at Happy Valley Farm, aged 39.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 42, 2 December 1871
1871 - [ADVERTISING]
To Confectioners, Fruiterers, & Others - PICNIC – HOMER’S PADDOCK - New Year’s Day - H. A. Swan has received instructions from the picnic committee, in connection with the Sons of Temperance, to sell by public auctions, at Cameron’s Crystal Fountain, Herbert Street on Wednesday next, 20th December, at 3 o’clock, pm, sharp. One Grand, and six other refreshment stalls, for the above Picnic to take place in Homer’s Paddock, on New Year’s Day.
Plan on view with terms and conditions at Sale.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 44, 16 December 1871
1872 - [CRICKET]
Cricket Club has now chosen Homer's paddock for their cricket match against Dubbo.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 49, 20 January 1872
Cricket Match AND ATHLETIC SPORTS AT HOMERS PADDOCK - DUBBO V GULGONG
BOOTHS, STALLS &c. JONES & CO. have received instructions from the Committee, to sell by Public Auction, at Con Driscoll’s Warburton Hotel, on SATURDAY next, at 2 o’clock,
2 Publican’s Booths6 Fruit Stalls
No persons allowed to bid for the Publican’s Booths unless subscribers of I quinea to the Club Funds. Terms Cash
N.B. – Sale to take place positively at 2 o’clock JONES & CO. Auctioneers - Opposite the bank of N.S.W. Herbert Street.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 49, 20 January 1872
The natives of the Emerald Isle shall celebrated the nativity of their patron saint, with a sports day at Homer’s paddock and a ball a night, as profits will go to the hospital it is hoped there will be a monster attendance.
A meeting will be held at Tarrant’s Hotel on Monday evening next to perfect the arrangements for the celebration of the day.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 52, 10 February 1872
The programme of sports at Homer’s Paddock, has been adopted, and will appear in Saturday’s issue. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Commissioner Browne for granting the use of the Court House for a ball in the evening; also to the Guardian & Argus for their generous offer of advertising. A splendid band will be engaged for the evening, and as the whole of the surplus funds raised will be handed over to the hospital, we believe that the public will attend en masse. May the committee succeed brilliantly in there efforts for so good a cause as the relief of the and suffering of this populous goldfield.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 54, 21 February 1872
1872 - St. Patrick’s day Sports.
In our advertising columns will be found the outline of the programme of sports decided upon by the committee to come off on St Patrick's Day, or rather the day after, as the holiday falls upon Sunday this year. Mr Homer, with his usual kindness, has granted the use of his paddock for the sports. It will be noticed that one of the prizes is a "District Champion Race," which attracted a large attendance on the Prince of Wales birthday sports, when it was first run for. And as the running ground for this race will be so chosen that everyone will be able to see the race from start to finish, and also enable the competitors to "put on stream" without danger of an upset, we have no doubt but that the attendants will be as numerous as when this race was inaugurated in November last. As the surplus funds will go to the hospital, we need hardly remind everybody that the more numerous the attendance the larger the balances will be in aid of this useful charity.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 57, 2 March 1872
Sports! Sports! - Grand Cricket Match - Hill End v Gulgong - In Homer’s Paddock
C.L. Morris has received instructions from the committee to sell at Driscoll’s Warburton Hotel on Wednesday, March 27 at 4pm - The right of 2 Publican’s Booths, 6 Fruit Stalls for the Cricket Match Hill End v Gulgong, in Homer’s Paddock on Easter Monday.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 63, 23 March 1872
Mr. Denis Driscoll the newly appointed pound keeper, is proceeding rapidly with the erection of his pound yards. The site is near Homer’s farm on the left side of the road to Canadian. They will be ready in a few days, when we hope that at least two hundred of the ownerless goats that are on the prowl day and night, eating up like locusts every thing that is green, will be the first stock that he will receive. It is a pity that vagrant dogs cannot be impounded, if they could, we reckon that the billet of the Pound Keeper would be equal in income of that of a Minister of the Crown and quite as comfortable. We would then see J.P.’s competing for the post, as we once saw one pursuing the united occupation of small debts bailiff and water carrier.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 72, 24 April 1872
Lost horse - William Kitchen - near Homer’s Farm, Happy Valley.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 86, 12 June 1872
1872 - Notice
The undersigned has a Good Secure Paddock for Horses, at a charge of 1/-. per week. Single night 3d. Payment in advance in all cases. Gate locked at sundown. MATTHEW HOMER, Happy Valley
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 93, 6 July 1872
1872 - [MINING]
On Monday another quartz find was made near the Old Surface Hill; a leader carrying rich stone was found between the Hill and Homers farm fence, with every appearance of thickening. The new lead now being worked at the south end of the Happy Valley Lead has evidently headed from the hill, which is, in the opinion of many, at least equal to the famous Red Hill.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 112, 11 September 1872
1872 - [MINING]
There is nothing new to report from the various other workings, except that in a block claim in the new ground opened at the south end of the Happy Valley a handsome 14 ounce nugget was found. Several small pieces have been previously found in the locality; but this "big 'un" has led to a number of claims being occupied parallel to Homer's farm fence.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 125, 26 October 1872
1872 - Athletic Sports Fete
The programme is in our advertising column. The prizes will be worth competing for and we hope to see large entries in every event. The Prince of Wales Challenge Cup we are sure will attract a large field and as it is a handicap there will be a chance for the fastest to the slowest. The lessees of the Prince of Wales have with kind liberality added two guineas to the prize. The sports will be held at Homer’s paddock and as the paddock is private property all persons not authorized to be on the ground will be trespassers and treated accordingly. A splendid band will be provided so those desiring to enjoy will be catered for. The storekeepers are being asked to close on that afternoon and the patronage of the Sons of Temperance, Odd Fellows and other kindred societies are also being in-vited to attend, so with the co-operation of the public the hospital will nett a respectable sum. Four hundred pounds must be raised by the end of the year to enable the full amount for the subsidy voted by the Parliament being claimed, knowing this we are certain that all will unite to make the fete a monster success.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 126, 30 October 1872
The sports that have been arranged by the joint committees of the School of Arts and Sons of Temperance promise to be most attractive. As many hands make light work, the programme will contain many novel amusements which the numerous committee will be able to efficiently superintend.
As is usual at Christmas time, there will be Punch’s pony, who will require an accomplished horseman to ride him. Climbing the greasy pole, catching the slippery pig, popular games of tilting the ring, swings, merry-go-rounds, croquet, football and many more to numerable to mention.
Mr. Homer, with characteristic liberality has given one pound to each committee out of the five pounds he is to receive for the use of his ground.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 133, 23 November 1872
1872 - BOXING DAY PICNIC
To Keepers of Restaurants and Others - PLUNKETT & CO. - Have received instructions from the Joint Committee of the Gulgong School of Arts and the Sons of Temperance to sell by auction the following:
THE RIGHTS to ERECT SEVEN REFRESHMENT BOOTHS, FOUR FRUIT STALLS and ONE SWING BOAT At HOMER’S PADDOCK on the occasion of the MONSTER PICNIC TO BE HELD ON 26th DECEMBER - Terms CASH
The Committee reserve the right to order off the Ground person found vending Intoxicating Drinks - A Plan of the Ground on view at the Office of the Auctioneers.
HOMER’S PADDOCK - Boxing Day Monster Picnic - BY THE JOINT SOCIETIES - THE SONS OF TEMPERANCE And THE SCHOOL OF ARTS
Amusement for all — the Old, the Young, the Grave and the Gay - IMMENSE ATTRACTIONS!
Large Dancing Saloon - 70 feet by 20 feet boarded floor - BOAT SWINGS FOR LADIES.
The procession will start punctually on THURSDAY, December 26th, from the Temperance Hall, Herbert Street, at 10 o’clock, headed by the GULGONG BRASS BAND, under the management of Messrs. SHARP and SAYERS.
Sports to Commence Punctually at 11 o’clock.
Source: Gulgong Guardian, Issue No 137, 7 December 1872
