Quiet historic town south of Bathurst.
Rockley is one of those rare country towns where nothing much seems to have changed for over a century. It has a delightful park beside Pepper's Creek; a beautiful old red brick mill; a pub and a few houses. It is as though nothing has changed and, as such, it has an admirable ambience of peace and serenity. Not surprisingly it has been listed by the National Trust as an Historic Village.
Location
Rockley is located 232 km west of Sydney via the Great Western Highway across the Blue Mountains to Bathurst. It is 35 km due south of Bathurst on the Rockley Road.
^ TOPOrigin of Name
On 21 February, 1829 Governor Darling granted 1,920 acres (777 ha) in the area to Captain Watson Augustus Steel who named his property 'Rockley' after his birthplace in Wiltshire, England.
^ TOPThings to See and Do
Abercrombie Shire Council Building
Many people believe that Ben Chifley, the humble railway engine driver from Bathurst, was the last "man of the people" Prime Minister Australia ever had. Certainly he was a tireless worker for the public good. For three years, from 1937-1940, he drove across from Bathurst once a fortnight to preside over the Abercrombie Shire Council as its president. The Shire Council building still stands - a handsome reminder to a man whose only desire was to serve his constituents - on the hill in Hill Street.
Rockley Mill and Stables Museum
The Rockley Mill in Budden Street is a striking building. Built out of warm, red brick in 1864 it dominates the town's streetscape standing on the rise across the road from Pepper's Creek. The Mill was built in 1864. It has displays of historic mill machinery, historic clothing, old police records for the district and old newspapers. It is open from 11.30am - 4.30pm on Sundays and Public Holidays. For more information tel: (02) 6337 9279. For more information check out https://www.rockleymillandstablesmuseum.com.
St Patrick's Roman Catholic Church (1870) and St Peter's Anglican Church (1867)
M. E. (Edward) Gell was a prominent local architect in Bathurst who not only designed both of Rockley's churches but also was responsible for a number of important buildings in Bathurst and, idiosyncratically, the gates of Bathurst Gaol. Gell's design for St Patrick's Church uses local rubblestone, employs a slate roof and is a fine example of a High Victorian Gothic style church. In the design of St Peter's Gell used decorative brickwork which he combined with a slate steeple and an iron roof.
Exploring the Town
There are a number of places of historic interest beyond the churches and the shire council offices. Of particular interest are the local Post Office (1879) which did not open for six months after its completion because the furniture and fittings were not transported from Bathurst where they had sat on the railway station. The Club House Hotel (1872), the Butcher's, Baker's and Saddlery (1871), the former Bank of New South Wales (1878) which was once held up by the bushranger Ben Hall, the Methodist Church (1859), the School of Arts (1890) and the Police station. Ask at the Museum for specific details.
Stephens Park
The park near the weir on Peppers Creek has a delightful English village green ambience. It is idyllic and practical having grassy area, shade trees as well as barbecues and the pools in the creek are safe for swimming.
History
* Prior to European settlement Rockley was part of the vast lands of the Wiradjuri people who spread from Nyngan to Albury and Bathurst to Hay.
* The first European into the Rockley district was Surveyor George Evans who crossed the Blue Mountains in 1813.
* By 1818 land was granted to William Lawson - one of the trio, along with William Charles Wentworth and Charles Blaxland, who crossed the Blue Mountains in 1813.
* The townsite was held as a stock reserve until the 21 February, 1829 when Governor Darling granted it as part of a parcel of 1,920 acres, to Captain Watson Augustus Steel who named it 'Rockley'.
* Copper was found south of the town and the Summer Hill Copper Mine was opened in 1848. It had closed by the end of the 19th century.
* The town of Rockley was officially gazetted in 1851.
* The discovery of gold in the area in the late 1840s drew prospectors and by the 1860s the town had a population of around 3,000 people. This prosperity is reflected in the churches and public buildings.
* On 24 October 1863 the bushranger Ben Hall and his gang arrived at the home of Harry Keightley at Dunn's Plain near Rockley. Keightley did not surrender and in the gun battle that followed one of Hall's gang members, Mickey Burke, was killed. Keightley was captured by Hall who forced Keightley's wife to ride to Bathurst and claim the £500 reward for killing Burke.
* Around the turn of the century the copper mine closed and the population of the town declined. The result is near-perfect preservation which has resulted in the whole village being listed by the National Trust.
^ TOPVisitor Information
Rockley does not have its own visitor information centre. The closest is the Bathurst Visitor Information Centre, Great Western Highway, tel: 1800 68 1000.
^ TOPAccommodation
A five room guest house, Buddens Bed and Breakfast is located at 18 Budden Street, tel: (02) 6337 9279, website: http://buddens.com.au/
^ TOPEating
Club House Hotel, 2 Budden Street, tel: (02) 6337 9203
^ TOPUseful Websites
There is a lot of useful information at https://www.rockleymillandstablesmuseum.com.
^ TOP
Have a post card in very good condition of Methodist Church Rockley from 1908 that belonged to my late father’s aunt and would like to know if it can find a final resting place with the Bathurst Dist. Tourism.
Hi Helen can you email me about the postcard? We own the Methodist Church at Rockley. Cheers!
Hi Tom,
I’ve added a comment to the aussietowns website in relation to my great grandfather being the minister at the church you now own. His daughter Martha Maria was born there (or at least their address was Phantom St at the time) in 1872.
Do you have any history of the church that may be relevant to that time? His name was Joseph Monaghan (may have been spelt Monahan, the g was dropped at some point).
I’d love to have something from that era and if you can help I’d love to hear about it.
Just in case my email doesn’t show, it is micmon51@gmail.com.
Thank you,
Michael
Tkrisenthal@hotmail.com
You could add Rockley Studio to the list of things to see in Rockley. Owned by local artist, Tim Miller who has paintings in collections worldwide, is well worth a visit (We have been & its terrific). Its open on Sundays & his website is http://www.rockleystudio.com.au
I believe my Grandfather, Bill Evans, and my father Herwin Edward Hilston Evans, lived in Rockley. This would have been some time before 1914. I am 92 and I don’t do much else.
Hi Rod Moore,
Which child of Joseph Sewell, Rockley is your ancestor? My husband descends from his son James Sewell and Mary nee Haywood.
My email address is mpnightingale1@gmail.com
Regards, Marie Nightingale
Marie, My family knew Reg and Helen Nightingale and visited Woodlands regularly. Helen was a McKeone and brother to Dud McKeone who managed Dunns Plains.
Where is Woodlands? I have ancestors who lived at Woodlands, then owned by John Street. My email (bob_anderson@netspace.net.au), if anyone knows.
Hi Geoffrey, just found your post. My husband is the great-grandson of Herwin’s uncle, Richard James Evans, and I am trying to sort out the Evans family tree. They were definitely at Rockley, where you grandfather was a farmer and road maintenance contractor. His father, Richard George Evans, ran a passenger and cargo boat on the Parramatta. I have a very nice press cutting about your grandfather which I would be happy to send to you. if you would like to send me an email address. Regards, Elizabeth Ranah Long, Brisbane Qld.
My ancestors Sewell were original settlers, former convict. Family married into Nightingales. Two Sewell brothers killed in WW2, one awarded George Cross
We must be related! My father was Anthony Kevin Sewell, brothers Laurie, Alan and some others parents were James Gabriel Sewell & Ellen Foran
sewell.m@me.com
We must also be related. Ellen Foran was my great grandmother
Hi,
My great grandfather, Joseph Monaghan, was the Methodist minister in Rockley in 1872. Is there any history available in the church from around this time? I am compiling a family tree and would love any information to add to it.
My great-great-great grandmother came to live, along with her 6 children, from Ireland with her brother John Gibbons who worked the property “Charlton” for a Thomas Arkell, then for a Mr McPhillamey and it was known as the McPhillamey estate. Her son, my great grandfather Michael Ryan, married Mary Sager, and lived/worked on the property “Charlton”. They had 13 children. One of their sons, John, got into an altercation at the pub, was thumped, hit his head on the verandah and died. There was a murder/manslaughter case within 3 days. My family lived in and around Rockley, Triangle Flat, Grove Creek, Carrawa up until 17 years ago.
Hi Leanne Ryan, I have a family tree that lists The Gibbons family as part of our family would love to hear from you to see how far back you trace your family.
hi sue my email is leanneryan28@bigond,com,au
pobox9162 Bathurst
happy to chat about gibbons/ryan families
My great-grandparents James&Mary Ann Boyle lived in that area in the late 1800s. My grandmother was born around 1878-1880 in Charlton &”twas living in Rockley when she married. Her name was Elizabeth. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
My grandmother’s brother, Dudley McKeone and his son after him managed Dunns Plains near the town from the early 1900s. As a child I was told the story of Ben Hall holding up the property in 1863. I remember seeing bullet holes in the door of the old house which I believe is now in the Bathurst museum. My 98 year old mother learnt to ride there. I am coming up to the area in a couple of weeks and hope to meet the current owners and explore the area around.
Hello
we believe that our GG Grandfather had the Blacksmith shop in Rockley approx 1867-1869??? John Francis Henry Hargrave
His wife Maria was burnt whilst working in the shop and later died from the burns… her coroner’s inquest into her death took place in the Rockley Hotel and her body was held below in the cellar as they believed it was the best place to keep her body at the time…
Their 2yr old daughter had passed away 2-3 months earlier due to sunstroke/irritation of the brain… we believe that Maria had a child survive her from a previous marriage to James Sinclair.
Hoping that you maybe able to supply more information as we seem to have come to a dead end in going back through the generations … we also believe that he may have been arrested for stealing a gun a few months after Maria’s death…
Not sure what we may find but we plan on visiting Rockley on Thurs or Fri this week…looking forward to your reply
My Grandfather William Evans and my Father Herwin Edward Hilston Evans lived at Rockley. Born 1893 I believe. I should be visiting Rockley on 2Oth October. Geoffrey Evans, *D o b 6th January, 1925
Hi, I’m trying to trace some family members that lived in Rockley in the 70’s and 80’s.
The White family lived on the property Charlton. There was Clifford Charles White and his wife Ona, their son, Clifford Rex and his wife Barbara, and three others, Cameron, Daphne and Laurel.
I dont know if the “three others” were the children of Rex and Barbara, who moved to Narromine in the late 70’s or early 80’s, or were brothers and sisters of Rex.
Can anyone help ?
There was Cliff and Ona White. Children Rex, two girls, Malcolm , Vicki, Ross. I was good friends with them. Cliff’s sister-in-law Marie also lived with them. We had Rockley Farm which adjoined Charlton. I grew up in Rockley, my father was the original owner of the Shire Chambers. He was the one who turned it into a home.
Hi Rod.
Laurel was Clifford’s second wife. The White Family still have Charlton. Rex, Jim, Jules Malcolm and Billie have all passed, Vic & Ross are the only ones left. Originally the farm was 5000acres, but it was divided into thirds. The original “Charlton” still belongs to Ross & his family & is so going very strong. Hope that helps.
Hi Rod. I am Daphne & Cameron’s grandson. I know them and see them every week so ask me any question and by sure I’ll answer.
Best regards, Ross
Email: oilah.tirrah11@gmail.com
IF bank of NSW was built in 1875 wasn’t Ben Hall shot in 1865? My great grandfather was a Teacher at the Public School in 1870/71. My grandfather was born at Rockley.
My wife’s family tree shows a John & Agnes Haywood as running the Post Office around 1900. Wondering if anyone has any news / stories / photos of that business or the family ?
Calling anyone interested in celebrating 150th anniversary of St Patrick’s Catholic Church Rockley 27 September 2020.
We are setting up an exhibition of photographs and memorabilia of the past century and are very interested in anything people are willing for us to exhibit. We would love people to join us for a banquet after the service. We would like as many people to attend as possible.
You can contact the St Michaels and St Johns Cathedral Parish Bathurst , Dean Paul Devitt or myself who shall pass on names to our committee.
Andrew Brennen used to work for me in Alberta Canada and I lost his phone number, wonderimg if someone can get him to call me, email me, or text.
17809260717
I am descended from William Richard Smith son of Frances Green Smith Sewell [ wife of Joseph Sewell] . My granddad John Joseph Smith [Jo] and John Thomas Smith [ Tom] were managers /overseers of Charlton. Gloria Armstrong recounted that a Num McPhillamy who owned Charlton was off to the races one day and had discussed leaving Charlton to Jo Smith as Num had no children. He went to the races in Bathurst and died of a heart attack on the way back. I have been trying for years to identify who Num McPhillamy was. Does anyone know whether he was Norman. My great grandad Tom was given the right to live on Charlton for the term of his natural life and if anyone knows anything about this I would be grateful.
Our family is a blended one with the Nightingales and Sewells as Frances Green Smith partnered with Joseph Sewell and brought her children William Richard Smith and Charles Henry Green to the area and Joseph raised them as his with his 2 sons with Frances Jonathan and Daniel. Frances died in Camperdown visiting her dead sisters children in 1854 and Charles had died the year earlier. Charles was married to Sarah Heffernan and they had a child Frances Green who married John Redmond Hope. Joseph went on to marry Charles widow Sarah and have a large number of children. This family was truly blended and my dad Henry Edwin Smith descends from William Richard and his wife Mary Ann Barsden dtr of Josephus Henry Barsden. If anyone can give me a history of Charlton or identify who Num is I would be eternally grateful.
My ancestors lived around Bathurst, Rockley, Swallows Nest area.Fogarty, Chifley, Haywood, Hanrahran.
Looking forward to discovering Rockley in near future.
The last time I was in Rockley there were signs up stating you cannot swim in Peppers Creek.
I lived there for 20 years of my life. Rockley is dying.
Hi, just wondering if there are any town maps available for allotments of land around the late 1800s. My descendants were the Hope family (Charles Redmond Hope, John Redmond Hope) and I know my mother would love to be able to visit and see the approximate location of where their old hut would be. We have a photo of this hut. Any family history on the Hope family would also be appreciated. Thank you!
Hello Natalie,
I lived in Rockley from 1951 to mid 60s
regards Robert Brennan
Hi Natalie
I’m the daughter of the late John Redmond Hope, great great grandson of John Redmond, and son of the late Norman and Ivy Hope of ”sunny ridge” Mount David” we have a family tree if you’re interested.
Hello Susie – is it you that has a family tree for the Hope Family? I’d love to chat to you about this if you are the person to contact. Please let me know. lee@broombee.com
Regards
Lee
So interesting..
Thank you will pop in enroute to Dunedoo family one day
Hi Marie Nightingale.My mother Marea Baker used to live at her grandparents home at Mount David until she married our dad Allan Ryan.I can remember driving mum up to Rockley to visit her aunty Eileen ? ,back in the sixties.My grandfather Arthur Thomas Baker lived in a hut/shack near Sewell Creek in his later years,prospecting for gold
Hi Dave here from Ingleburn near Campbelltown NSW. My mother and her mother’s family grew up in Rockley during the 1920’s to 1930’s then moved to Bathurst. I would love to get their history in your area for my family tree connections. If you can offer any help I would be very grateful – enjoy your day and keep safe, Dave Metcalfe
What is its Aboriginal name ?
Sewells Creek has a great old house. Only poor farmers so built of timber but it’s awesome.
Hi
My mother’s family grew up in Rockley from about 1908 to 1924. Their name was Sullivan – Dennis and Mary and children Eileen, Tess, Maurice, Edna and Rita. i would love to know anything more about their lives there. I know mum and her sisters left school in Year 6 and went to other families to help with the children and with the housework.
Anyone interested in attending celebration of St Patrick’s Catholic Church on Phantom St.
Mass by Bishop Michael McKenna beginning at 11:00 am and Bring your own (BYO) picnic after. Cake, tea and coffee friendship, stories, laughter and tears and reunions. 25 th September. Pioneering family descendants come one, come all. God’s blessings on you all. See you on the 25th. RSVP Fr Paul Devitt, 63313066 or Cynthia Webster.
My great grandfather James Leopold Cooper died Rockley Mountain Run, Apsley Station on 8 February 1878 aged only 42yrs old. He was married to Mary Ann Skuthorp.
The Rockley Pub is a great local pub with accommodation. It’s owned by Matt Moran, is going to see massive renovations over the coming year or so