H.L. writes: - Under the heading of "A Haunted Spot", in your issue of 22/10/20, you published an article which I have read with interest. I would like to add my little bit towards it, and I crave space to do so. Over 40 years ago I was working for Mr. E. K. Cox, of "Fleurs", a large estate situated some six miles from St. Marys, out Luddenham way. One night about 11 o'clock I was called by the boss to go to Penrith for a doctor, as one of the house-maids had taken ill. I was soon on the road riding a splendid mare, one of the best I ever crossed, and had got to a place some two miles from St. Marys. It was a lonely, wet spot and very narrow. All at once the mare stopped and started to snort and tremble and tried to get back towards home. Do all I could, I could not get her past the place, and to make it worse, a sheep dog that was with me started howling. I was in some fix. I could see nothing, and it was a clear moonlit night, but very cold, in the middle of winter. At last I blindfolded the mare with my handkerchief and got her past the place somehow by leading her. When I got on her again she took off for her life, and it was sometime before I could steady her. I got to Penrith alright, and had to stay there until the doctor had been out and back. It was daylight on my return trip, and in passing the place the mare or dog never took the slightest notice. I heard afterwards that a teamster had been killed at this spot, so if the horse or dog saw anything I must have been exempt. I would also like to mention that the girl died a fortnight later, about 10 o'clock at night, and about that hour I was reading and distinctly heard a voice like her's call my name three times. I got up and went round the place but could see nothing. A few minutes later we were informed of her death.
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Another experience I had was one night, or morning rather, my mate and I were getting home from a dance at Eastern Creek, or Colyton near the old pub, and some 50 yards back from the main road is a spot where a house has been burnt down. It was very dark and when nearing this place we saw a bright light some 20 feet in the air, and it dropped down on the place were the house stood. We watched it for about a minute or so, then we got off our horses and went towards it. It was just like a hurricane lamp. When we got to within a few yards of it, it vanished, and as it did we heard a dismal moan, like someone in pain. We struck matches and looked all round but couldn't see or hear anything further. It was in the house that had been burnt that a man had years before cruelly murdered his three children, and the saying went round that if the neighbours had got hold of him at the time there would have been something doing. However, the house didn't stand long so people drew their own conclusions.
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I quite believe what is said about grass not growing where a tragedy occurs, for I have seen that myself. There is the Rooty Hill tragedy of years ago, when Mrs. Gilbert was found in Crawford's Bush close to the Blacktown Road. Whether it was murder or not was left an open question, but when the body was found it was quite naked, and her clothes were found in a hollow stump not far away. Where the body laid not a blade of grass grew, although at the time I saw it first, grass all around was a foot high, and the spot was just the shape of a human being. The last time I saw the place was when the bridge was opened at Quaker's Hill, and it was just the same, and if I ever happen that way I will look again just for the curiosity. (Windsor and Richmond Gazette - 26th November, 1920.)
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At night, many reliable people have reported seeing ghostly forms in colonial costume riding in drays along Blacktown Road at Marsden Park, in the vicinity of the old Clydesdale property. These shapes would often disappear suddenly, or would travel through fences, leaving no doubt in the observer's mind as to the supernatural form of the apparitions.
(Source-oral)
Hawkesbury Hospital now occupies a building in Windsor which was erected in 1820 on the order of Governor Macquarie, and which originally served as a "brick-built barracks for the residence and accomodation (sic) of one hundred male convicts". This building was changed to a Colonial Hospital in 1823 and retained that function until 1841. Governor Darling had written of "the improper scite of the Hospital, which is in a State of Decay. The discontinuance of this Hospital would inconvenience the Settlers but the Settlers should be taught to think for themselves and not to look to the Government to be supplied with whatever they require". (H.R.A. ser. 1, vol. 14, p. 204)
The Hospital premises were handed over to the Hawkesbury Benevolent Society in 1846.
The Hospital, in 1910, underwent extensive changes, including the addition of an operating theatre, but the original walls of the Macquarie building were retained. These premises were opened by the Governor, Lord Chelmsford, in 1911.
Johnston Wing was added in 1964. Nursing staff of long experience at the hospital report unexplained phenomena. Patient buzzers will ring for no apparent reason, with patients denying they were responsible. It has always been the same two buzzers that are involved, ringing in exactly the same pattern, over a period of many years.
At night, nursing staff have heard a baby crying, even when there are no babies in the hospital. ( At the time of these occurrences, the Maternity Unit was situated in Ross Street, several blocks removed from the Macquarie building.)
In August, 1982, a patient in a single bed room on the Ground Floor of the hospital was awoken by the apparition wearing an historic style of nurses' uniform and carrying a baby.
(Source - oral)
In recent years, a ghostly mist has been seen by members of the same family crossing a paddock in Old Hawkesbury Road.
In the family home, an ironing board has rocked about wildly, and when checked soon afterwards was found to have no strings or wires attached. At the same time an old clock began to chime. The clock had not chimed for years beforehand and has not chimed again since.
(Source - oral)
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I heard a very good ghost story of old time Windsor the other night, and, without mentioning names, will repeat it for the edification of those who take an interest in spirits. Two young blades of the day - they are both in business now, and one is a baker, whilst the other is a butcher - resolved (in order to scare a townsman whose love for a local maiden fair took him within the precincts of the Church of England on choir practice nights) to make up as a pair of real live ghosts. These were the days, of course, when the youth of town and district were up to every species of devilment, and, consequently, all arrangements were very completely carried out. The pair rigged themselves up in paper suits, and whilst one lay himself down beside a huge tombstone at the Cornwallis corner of the cemetery, the other went some distance away and also secreted himself and both lay in ambush for the approach of their victim, who usually whiled his time away when awaiting the coming of his lady-love by wandering amongst the silent tombs. For some time they stayed there, and still no victim came along. At length, the night being far advanced (and the pair of practical jokers being just about doubled up with cold), they began to think that as the joke was not a gigantic success they ought to leave.. One called out to the other, "Are you there, Charlie?" "Yes Bill" "Well, let's go home" The other immediately jumped out from amongst the tombs, and the first speaker, letting a howl out of him, scrambled over the fence, and ran with Joe Price celerity down the road into George street, his companion following him with almost a like amount of dispatch. The first was scared to such an extent that when he heard the patter of feet and the rustle of the paper garments behind him he forgot his friend and made sure that all the devils from down below were after him, and he put on steam and positively flew down the street until the Fitzroy Hotel was reached. In front of this well-known hostelry he fell, and it took all the attention of the landlord and several stiff nobblers of his best cognac to bring the affrighted young man to round again. He never played the ghost after this - in fact his experience was such a harrowing one that he never goes near a cemetery, or a church either, for it reminds him of this fearful night.
(Windsor and Richmond Gazette- 25th January, 1890)
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Some of the inhabitants of Richmond have in the past gained great notoriety by their mischievous propensities, and they appear to be desirous of maintaining their reputations as practical jokers. At least, so it would seem if the following, sent along by a local resident, be true. One day some little time ago, an old inhabitant of the township departed this life, and, before the burial took place, some of the neighbours gathered to hold a "wake". The manufacture of a coffin was entrusted to the hands of a carpenter, but when finished it was not thought to be of a very elegant character by those in authority, and was condemned, the carpenter receiving instructions to exercise his ingenuity in the making of a second box. This one suited better, and the corpse was laid out according to time-honoured fashion, and left in a private room to await the interesting ceremony. In the meantime an individual possessed with an ardent love for Walker's Whiskey fell into the hands of a few "lads", and was made so helplessly tight that his troubles were a pleasure to him. He was laid in the condemned coffin, covered with the lid, and quietly placed in the room where the wake was to be held, the dead man's remains (in the second coffin) being as quietly removed. Shortly afterwards, and as the evening advanced, the friends of the deceased began to arrive, and the ceremonies usually indulged in on such occasions commenced. Things went on gaiely, while the individual in the coffin was sleeping the sleep of the dead (drunk); but presently the effects of the whiskey began to wear off - and the supposed corpse gave a deep groan and a kick. The room was cleared in the twinkling of an eye, and in the scramble for exit from the Land of Ghosts, the "Wakers" (and "quakers" too) forgot to take with them their hats and umbrellas. One young man is supposed to be travelling across the Kurrajong Hills at railway rate yet, and two others have been anxiously searched after by their lady loves, but to no avail.
(Windsor and Richmond Gazette 21st June, 1890)
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A ghost in the Newcastle district has been creating no end of excitement locally. Isn't it nearly time some of our own ghosts bobbed up again. There used to be several in different parts of the district a few years ago, the one at Richmond Bridge being probably the most widely known.
(Windsor and Richmond Gazette- 15th June, 1891)
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A second edition of Fisher's Ghost was seen on the Blacktown - road the other night by George Woodgate , who was driving home to Windsor. When below the Grammar - School his horse shied, and as it did, a man in black clothing made a grab at George, who had just been amusing himself humming a tune, and who was rather startled by the apparition. He hurried the horse up, and then got hold of a lantern which he had in the trap, intending to strike the suspected ghost with it. This latter, divining his intention, made off to the bush and was seen no more. Ghosts are very numerous in this neighbourhood now.
(Windsor and Richmond Gazette 17th March, 1894)
Note: The Windsor Grammar School was built in 1885 for Bernard Keenan in George Street, South Windsor, on land belonging to the Hawkesbury Benevolent Society. This large two storeyed building was widely recognised as the most successful boarding school for boys outside Sydney. The school closed in about 1912 and converted into flats.
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One night recently, two horror-stricken youths rode rapidly into town, with their hair on end and terror in their eyes. They had just come from Pitt Town, and had been interviewed by the M'Kenzie's Bridge Ghost on their way. It is a remarkable fact that each of our country roads rejoices in the possession of one or more ghosts, though we have never managed to catch a glimpse of them. If one travels along the Richmond-road at night, he is cautioned to beware of the apparition supposed to be located there; Wilberforce-road is alleged to be haunted by some restless spirit; whilst on Pitt Town-road most wayfarers look for an interview when they pass that way. On the night in question, the young men alluded to assert that the ghost was of the female persuasion, and came from the road just when they were near the bridge. One of them made a dive at the spectre with a whip, but failed to assault it, and it swiftly glided off, and left the scene in order to find safer quarters. There is no doubt that the travellers saw something, and it scared them, too; but it was evidently a good, substantial human being made up for the occasion. Practical jokes of this kind will one of these fine nights get the person who plays them into difficulties; and when some startled wayfarer has laid him out with a stick or lump of rock the ghost industry will become unpopular. We travel at night a trifle, but we've never yet seen a ghost; the first one that buzzes round when we are on the road will have to limp away or be carried home on a shutter. There is no fun in this sort of thing at all; we don't mind seeing a genuine ghost, but we object to the spurious substitute altogether. Of ghosts, Josh Billings has written: "Ghosts are like a great menny other things in this world- often heard of but seldom seen. I will give 1500 Pounds to see a ghost, 250 Pounds more to own one; but I want one kaught whole and not hurt. Mi friend Barnum will take a whole drove of them at the same price per ghost, and not a quarrel about the gender. Ghosts allus dress in a white nitegown sort of rig, and are the quickest that have ever been trotted out. Their ordinary rate is a mile a seckund, but it iz said, for a purse, they can beat this handy. I would really like to see one go in public for the munny - private time iz alwus suspishus (sic)." So say we.
(Windsor and Richmond Gazette - 28th February, 1891)
Recently some practical jokers located at Pitt Town devised a means for putting in their spare time, with the result that no little annoyance was caused to the victims. Mrs. Morgan, wife of the Rev. J. Morgan of the Church of England, was on several occasions startled at night by hearing repeated taps at the front window, and the origin of these taps could not be discovered. With her husband the lady went away for a change the other day, as under the frequent irritation she became prostrated by nervousness. The Rev. Mr. Dark took up his abode in the Parsonage during their absence, and the other night heard the sounds complained of. He, after a time, searched for the cause, and discovered that some ingenious person had affixed a hook above the window, and attached a long string ; a couple of buttons were suspended from the hook, and when the string was pulled they tapped upon the glass, causing the sounds which had been so frequently heard. The next practical joker who tries his little game on will probably bolt into the arms of a policeman.
(Windsor and Richmond Gazette - 7th November, 1891)
Strange occurrences have been reported in an old house in Bathurst Street. Doors have suddenly become jammed for no apparent reason, just as though someone was on the other side of the door pushing. The residents have been able to see through cracks in the door and exclude the presence of a practical joker. The doors become unjammed just as suddenly.
One resident reported being awoken at night by the sensation of his feet being tickled, even when he was the only person in the house.
Another unexplained phenomenon was the sudden occurrence of a strong smell of pipe tobacco in the house, even when no-one was smoking. The previous (deceased) owner of the house was a well-known pipe smoker, with a sense of humour.
(Source - oral).
In the 1940's, two young teenagers were sleeping on the verandah of their parents old home. As the clock struck twelve, they awoke to see a white, faceless shape drift past them. They were unable to move to wake their parents, but weren't afraid.
The ghost passed through closed iron gates and drifted into Pierce's Paddock, where it suddenly disappeared.
(Source - oral).
The last licensee was John Seath, who held a license up to 1910, when the property was delicensed. There is a legend that Seath buried a fortune in the ground, and that on occassions his ghost returns to look for the lost treasure.
The other ghost is that of a black stallion which is said to have killed a groom in the yard behind the building. The stallion's ghost is reputed to appear at the same spot, rearing on its hind legs in the moonlight.
(Source - oral)
There is an old story in the former Colo Shire of the Ghost of Wheeny Creek. During construction of the Putty Road, several workmen were trapped on the other side of the creek by rising floodwaters. In order to get home, one decided to swim the creek, carrying a rope so that they could make a punt.
As he swam the width of the swollen creek, the large rope became heavier and heavier, pulling him down. He struggled to the other side but was unable to crawl out of the water and onto the bank because of the great weight of the rope. He called "Let go of the rope" but as he was unable to make himself heard, and was dragged down and drowned.
Old residents claim to have heard the cry of "let go of the rope, let go of the rope" when near that part of the creek.
(Source - oral)
By October, 1807, Archibald Bell had taken possession of 500 acres of land at Richmond Hill, the site at which Governor Phillip had camped when he first explored the upper reaches of the Hawkesbury River in 1791. Bell was in charge of the guard at Government House during the Rum Rebellion on 26th January, 1808, and was made Magistrate at the Hawkesbury by the rebel administration. In 1810, he was recalled to England with his Regiment, leaving his wife in charge of "Belmont". He returned in 1812 as Lieutenant Bell. In 1828 he was Superintendent of Police at Windsor. He was a close friend of Samuel Marsden. He had a reputation for working his convicts and free settlers hard.
Bell's son, Archibald Junior, pioneered the route now known as Bell's Line of Road over the Blue Mountains.
Bell senior built a stone home on Belmont Hill in 1834, but only the foundation stone remains today. Bell died on 28th April, 1837, and was buried in a tomb on the property. His wife Maria, and a granddaughter are also interred in the tomb.
The property was later acquired by Henry Newcomen, who demolished Bell's home. In 1891 Philip Charley purchased the property and changed the name to Belmont Park. He engaged George M. Pitt to design a palatial residence. The elegant sandstone structure was erected in 1892. Here, Charley established a famous stud farm, his employees including Harry (The Breaker) Morant, who probably enlisted from there to serve in the Boer War. Philip Charley had been part of the team of prospectors who discovered silver at Broken Hill. He died in 1937.
The property is now the site of St. John of God Hospital, having been acquired for that purpose in 1951.
Ghosts have been reported travelling in carriages down the long driveway at night. They are thought to be the spirits of old Archibald Bell and family.
(Source - oral)
This is not a snake-yarn, which is to say that what we are about to relate is a strictly veracious account of what was seen in George-street, Windsor, on Saturday night last... or rather, early on Sunday morning... by two belated residents,... as told to us by one of them in strict confidence, (and we hope that all who read this will respect the confidence that has been reposed in us). Snake yarns have been thoroughly washed out, and so many double-dyed purjuries (sic) have been committed on their account, that all the lies ever invented have been exhausted, and we hardly expect to drop across anything fresh or original in the way of snake-stories till we get deliverance at the hands of a second Tom Pepper.
Ghosts don't usually promenade along the sidewalks of respectable towns like Windsor; the orthodox ghost hovers among the tombs and sepulchres, or perches on church-yard fences, and occasionally they have been known to haunt lonely roadways, ... but, according to our informant, two spirits were seen in George-street on the morning in question, when all was dark and dismal. Whether he and his bosom friend had seen spirits of another kind during the night, deponent sayeth not, but here is the story as told to us. About twenty minutes or half-past 2 on Sunday morning, they were proceeding home from the direction of the Railway-station. When opposite Mr. Mortley's shop, their attention was arrested by the sudden appearance of two tall spectral figures, apparently those of females, clad alike in habiliments of white. Each wore a dark mantle, which was caught up and carried rearward by the breeze. The ghostly forms travelled quickly in the same direction as the two benighted pedestrians, and the latter quickened their steps to keep up with them. They glided through the air noiselessly, but the rustle of their drapery could be distinctly heard. Passing the A.J.S. Bank and Mr. Frazer's shop, the forms became more plainly visible, for they towered over the palistrading of Mr. Dillow's yard. And it was here that the two solitary witnesses of this scene determined to accost the supposed females and explore the mystery, but as they approached the spot they witnessed a scene which caused their matted locks to fly asunder, and "to stand on end like quills upon the fretful porcupine", whilst the temperature of their blood was suggestive of icebergs, ... for even whilst they gazed upon the spectres they vanished suddenly and mysteriously, without leaving track or trace behind. We have the assurance of our narrator that there was very little of superstition in his composition, but now he is free to confess that, until this mystery has been solved to his complete satisfaction, his scepticism will have received a real shock, and his faith in the nocturnal visits of the spirits of the departed will henceforth be strengthened tenfold.
(Windsor and Richmond Gazette, 16th January, 1892)
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