The Wiley pioneers on Wileys Creek

James Wiley b 1840 with his brother Thomas b 1836 migrated from northern Ireland to Port Jackson in 1860. Their father Charles, with wife Jane Maquire and 4 additional children followed shortly after on the ship Hot Spur. It cost Charles 28 pounds to bring out the remaining family members.

James and brother Thomas were men with vision and savvy business acumen under the eye of father Charles. They contributed to the early development of Kangeroo Valley transforming a land parcel into a small township with a main street. Father Charles was an early lease holder in Foxground which at the time fell under Gerringong Municipality.

Thomas made his fortune and headed north to Bangalow, James also held land and business interests up north but invested and lived down south. Other siblings headed north too.

Charles passed away in 1888 and is buried in Gerringong cemetery. His second wife Anne Heatherington must have followed his sons north after his death as she is buried near Bangalow.

James, Margaret's paternal Great Grandfather died in 1915 at his home of retirement, named Kelvin Grove, on Scenic Dr Nowra. A 2 storey home later known as Mandalay Guest House. He was aged 75 and died of a stroke. He is buried in the Methodist portion at Nowra public cemetery. He was a well known farmer in the region and highly regarded in the district.

James married his wife Mary Hanigan in 1870 at Broughton Creek. Together they had 8 children. James purchased a parcel of land near Wileys Creek from the Gardener holding in 1855,some 78 acres. Further land acquisitions totalling 270 acres were made under the Berry Estate secured from families Andersons and Thorburns. Land titles are currently being analysed by the descendants and will be made available to archive down the track.

James’ 2 sons: William b 1873 & Fredrick b 1878 were the inheritors of these lands. William married Kate Pestell in Kiama in 1907. This podcast engages the only surviving Wiley of Grandfather William, who actually farmed the land. Her name is Margaret Hollingworth nee: Wiley, age 80 now living in Nowra.

Margarets father Keith was born that same year, 1915, he married Ethel James in 1940.

Keith with brother John known as Jack and their sister Margaret inherited the land portion on the southern side of Wileys Creek. Fredricks sons Fredrick and William, known as Fred and Bill farmed the northern side of Wileys Creek, where Silo’s Estate is located.

I introduce to you Margaret Wiley, daughter of Keith Wiley-she later married Peter Hollingworth in 1969 from Nowra.

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Season 1: Supported by Turf Co Jaspers Brush https://turfco.com.au/ &

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