Chapter 9.3a
Warren and Fisher Families
The Warren and Fisher families had a long term association with George Mosman’s family.
- Alexander Warren preceded George Mosman as a neighbouring settler in the Williams River district and developed and expanded his property and called it Brandon.
- William Fisher junior, Alexander’s grand nephew, married George’s eldest daughter Dorothea and inherited Brandon.
 |
| Sydney in the 1820’s |
| In 1822 The Australia Company of Edinburgh and Leith was founded in Scotland in to promote trade and migration between Scotland and Australia. The Company had two ships, the Greenock of 442 tons and the Triton of 401 tons. Alexander Warren and his nephew William Fisher senior lived close to one another in Edinburgh. They became early employees of the Company and travelled to Australia for the Company:
|
While Alexander worked for the Company on arrival, by mid 1824 he was granted 1,000 acres of land on the Williams River, making him an early settler in the area, several years before Archibald and George bought land there. The initial land didn’t have the important river frontage but by 1825 Warren had some access. At one time, probably because of ill health, he sold his land and the new owner named it “Brandon” a name that remains to the present day.
As with other settlers of the time he was assigned convict labour, probably over 30 at one time (freesettlerorfelon.com). He encouraged tenant farming probably by ex convicts and in 1841 there were nine households on his property.
Andrew was a pioneer of grape growing and wine making in NSW. in the 1830's he was a founding member and Deputy Chairman of the local Farmers Club to which all the leading settlers of the district belonged. The club discussed farming methods and issues, exchanged seeds and lobbied the Colonial government about their interests.
Andrew's business, community and political achievements were numerous. He was a local magistrate sitting on two benches, a member of several local associations and a supporter of the local Anglican Church.
In 1856 he was nominated by the Governor to the newly formed Legislative Council and offered the position of State Treasurer which he had to decline because he was not an elected member.
Later on in life when he was again unwell his young great nephew, William Fisher junior, ran his property. Warren was unmarried and left his Brandon property to William on his death in 1876.
William junior married George Mosman’s daughter Dorethea and they moved to Brandon after Warren’s death. Part of the Brandon property, including the magnificent Victorian house built by William, is still owned by members of the Fisher/Mosman family.
Warren’s obituary, as well as praising his wines, said that “inhabitants of this now populous district, have been probably unaware of the existence of one of the ablest colonists who ever came to these shores.”
William Fisher senior arrived in Australia in 1825 at age 21. In 1831 NSW Census found him working as superintendent at Brandon for Alexander Warren, his uncle, while he was recuperating from ill health.
William senior married Mary Trapp in1840 when he was 35 and she was 21. She had arrived from Scotland only a year before. They settled in Sydney living near the location of the current Central Station and William appears to have been a “flour factor” (a wholesale dealer of flour). Over 14 years William and Mary had eight children, five girls and four boys, including William junior.
Little is known about William senior‘s life. He died in 1858 at age 53 from an overdose of laudanum, an opium based medicine sold openly at that time.
William junior married George Mosman's daughter Dorothea and inherited Brandon.