Historic township on the Hunter Valley floodplain north-east of Morpeth.
Located on the rich floodplain 4 km north-east of Morpeth, the tiny village of Hinton lies on the banks of the Hunter River at the point where the Paterson River joins the meandering major stream. The village has two points of genuine interest - the charming Victoria Hotel and the historic liftspan Hinton Bridge across the Paterson River.
Location
Hinton is located 4 km from Morpeth, 38 km from Newcastle and 169 km from Sydney.
^ TOPOrigin of Name
"Hinton", is an Old English word meaning "high settlement" or "high enclosure" which certainly does not apply to this low-lying village. It is likely the town was named after a pub which was called the Hinton Inn.
^ TOPThings to See and Do
Hinton Bridge
The Hinton Bridge crosses the Paterson River just upstream from the Hunter River. It is located 4 km from Morpeth. The Heritage Council of New South Wales explains that it was: "Completed in 1901, Hinton Bridge is an Allan timber truss road bridge and it is one of only three lift bridges in the Hunter region, which in the past accommodated river steamers that travelled the Hunter River system. As a timber truss road bridge, it has many links with important historical events, trends and people, including the expansion of the road network and economic activity throughout NSW, and Percy Allan, the designer of this type of truss." It was opened to allow shipping to pass up and down the Paterson River in 1901. Check out http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/visit/ViewAttractionDetail.aspx?ID=5051372 for more information.
Victoria Hotel
Just across the bridge at 2 Paterson Road, on the corner with Old Punt Road, is the Victoria Hotel which was built in 1840 and is now one of Australia's oldest continually licensed hotels. As its name suggests, Old Punt Road once led down to a punt by the junction of the Paterson and Hunter Rivers which connected Hinton with Morpeth. The hotel's website is http://www.victoriahotelhinton.com.au, tel: (02) 4930 5260.
Hinton Public School
Located on Paterson Road is the Hinton Public School which was established in 1848. It was the fourth public school to be built in New South Wales under the National School System. The oldest building of the complex dates from 1877 and is located beside the road.
Historic Buildings in the Village
There are a number of historic buildings in the village (most of them along Paterson Street) including St John The Evangelist Anglican Church (c.1864) which is located on Paterson Street and has an historic cemetery behind it; the Baptist Church (1857) which is in Elizabeth Street behind the Primary School; the former School of Arts (1869) which has been beautifully renovated and is on Hinton Road, and the Hinton Pioneer Cemetery which is a little further along Hinton Road.
History
* Prior to the arrival of Europeans the area was home to the Worimi First Nations people.
* This area was originally known as Paterson's Plains, which stretched along the northern bank of the Hunter from the nearby junction of the Hunter and Paterson Rivers south-west to the area now known as Bolwarra. The first permanent settlers were 12 ex-convicts authorised in 1818. Another 11 were allowed on the other side of the river at Wallis Plains.
* Hinton came into existence as the result of a land grant made to the merchant R.C. Dillin in 1823.
* The rich alluvial soil made the area ideal for crop farming. Produce was being shipped to Sydney as early as 1824.
* A post office was established in 1835.
* The village came into existence through the subdivision of Dillin's property in 1840. That year saw the opening of the Victoria Hotel.
* A wharf was built in 1844.
* The town had declined in importance by the end of the 19th century.
* The village was isolated by flooding in 2000.
* The village was isolated again by flooding in 2007.
^ TOPVisitor Information
There is no Visitor Information in Hinton. The nearest is Maitland Visitor Information Centre, Ministers Park, 258 New England Highway and High Street, tel: (02) 4931 2800.
^ TOPUseful Websites
There is no dedicated website for Hinton.
^ TOP
Are there any records of those buried in the Hinton Pioneer Cemetery?
Lynne I have found in my late Father’s “stuff” a page out of a photo album of his grand parents old property which was in Hinton. These people were buried in Morpeth cemetery and the surnames were Coombs. I found this through a search – maybe there isn’t a cemetery in Hinton?
Hi I am related to Coombs family in Hinton and I grew up In Hinton ,they had the petrol station opposite the pub
I’m a bit late to reply, but just got back to doing the Coombs family tree. You say you are related to the Coombs family in Hinton, I am too – obviously as my family name is “Coombs”. My descending tree comes down from William Thomas Coombs, married to Ann Fidoe Then James Coombs m. Emma Barwick then Marlbrook Coombs m. Mary Fisher, then Cyril Coombs m Grace Kable who were my grandparents. I would love to know more about my Ancestors especially Ann Fidoe, who I cannot find much about. Can you help? If so please e-mail me. It would be nice to make contact.
Hi James Coombs is my great Grandfather, Elwood Coombs my Grandfather. I am researching all variants of the Coombs family. If you need any more information please email me.
Had a close look at the bridge this week. It would seem the lifting mechanism is long gone. Still, it’s a sturdy bridge likely to serve for a long time yet.
I have recently acquired a letter of 1849 sent by John Christian senior to his niece in England. He says that he lives with his son John within a five minute walk of Hinton.
Are you able to tell me any more about him please?
He was obviously an early settler in Hinton.
Thank you.
George Salt Tucker Is my 4x great grandfather (through his daughter Mary Young)
My Gr Gr Grandfather George Salt Tucker lived in Morpeth & had land at the junction of Paterson & Hunter River which I believe was opposite the Hinton Hotel, he also ran a General Store in Hinton going back to 1835 to 1838. He worked for the Hunter River Steam Navigation Company for 6 yrs in Morpeth & then transferred with the Company to Brisbane! My Gr Grandfather George Wilson Tucker was born in Morpeth in 1841. I love this part of my Family history & have visited Morpeth, Paterson & Hinton and could feel how my Gr Gr Grandfather loved this area! If anyone has any further info re my ‘Tucker’ heritage I’d love to hear from you!
Emma Barwick was my 2x great Aunt, her sister Matilda married Jacob Cullip and are my great, great grandparents.
Jacob also had a lot to do with the church in Hinton.
My Great great Grandfather George Carter married Virginia Barwick of Hinton.
My great aunt Margaret Lyttle (known as Greta) was born in Hinton in 1875. She became a teacher and started a progressive school in Kew Melbourne which continues to this day and is the Margaret Lyttle memorial school.
Does anyone know the names of the ex-convicts who settled in Hinton area in 1818? Also I am tracing an ancestor, Mary Quinn married to Maurice Quinn and some Quinns are coming up as being born or living in Hinton around the 1840s. The names are Margaret Quinn with married name Hayes; William Quin, James Quinn died 1845 Hinton; Ann Halloran (born Quinn) born in 1847 in Hinton; John Quinn (1849-1900) Hinton. Elizabeth Quinn and Mariah Quinn also surfaced. Does anyone have any leads on this information? I am wondering if these people belong to Maurice Quinn. Thanks. Toni.