Parkfield Farm & Homestead 1830s

Parkfield Farm & Homestead 1830s
Parkfield Farm & Homestead was named for the ship of the same name which arrived in Western Australia in 1841 with the first group of land purchasers and emigrant workers.

The original Parkfield grant of 2560 acres at the head of the Leschenault Estuary was taken up by William Hudson. Later, the western portion (Location 7) was purchased by Prinsep and William Knight bought Location 14.

It was the first farm leased by the first settlers, Ben and James Piggott, in 1842 for 10 years. Ephraim Clarke also leased part of the property.

The Rose Family

In 1852, Robert Henry Rose leased it and purchased the farm in 1855.  Rose worked the property with his cousin, Thomas Hayward. Piggott then moved to Springhill Farm.

Over the years, Robert Rose added many more acres to his holding by lease and purchase. This consisted of 9000 acres with mainly stock, including 140 cattle and 500 sheep. However, he also grew about 250 acres of oats and planted a vineyard that produced wine and table grapes.

In 1875, they built a house on the farm from limestone and timber off the property so Rose could move in with his bride, Ann Bishop Allnut of Australind. Rose continued to add buildings on the property, including a new homestead and homes for his working men. The cottage became the first Parkfield School.

The Roses had five sons before the untimely death of Mrs Rose after childbirth in 1864. Robert Rose married a second time and, with his wife Elizabeth Eliza Teede of Bunbury, had another fourteen children.

These numerous children were all educated on the property, at home with governesses at first, then at Parkfield School south of the homestead, and later at the Parkfield School (No. 2) to the northeast of the property.

George Rose, the third son of Robert Henry Rose who died in 1901, took over Parkfield which was then 9000 acres, of which 250 were cleared and cultivated.

The Cargeeg Family

He sold the property in 1913 to George Cargeeg of Claremont and retired to live in Cargeeg’s property, The Grange, which had been part of the agreement.

The Cargeegs had three sons, Reginald, Albert, and Harold. At the outbreak of World War 1, Reginald and Albert immediately enlisted and went overseas where Reginald was badly wounded and Albert was killed at Gallipoli. Harold enlisted when he was old enough in 1917 and served in the 11th Battalion in France. He returned to Parkfield later on but tragically, was killed in a farm accident in April 1925 and the family decided to sell.

Over the years, the property has had several other owners.

Parkfield Farm & Homestead 1830s

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