He became a shearer in Tasmania before travelling to the mainland where he settled at Upper Ryan’s Creek in 1884, aged 23 years.
He purchased part of an extensive property covering most of the Upper Ryan’s Creek valley, selected earlier by John Bailey, and named his purchase “Somerset” after his birthplace.
He then sent for his mother and brothers, all of whom joined him in Australia, with his brothers also going into the shearing trade.
As they accumulated money they were encouraged to invest in more land in Upper Ryan’s Creek, building an enterprise of some 600 acres.
James married Jane Lewis from Moyhu and had six daughters.
Catherine Annie was born in Moyhu in 1898, Alicia Feeby Mafekin was born in Wangaratta in 1900, Priscilla was born in Wangaratta in 1904, Elizabeth Betsy was born in Wangaratta in 1905, Lillian Edith Clarice was born in Benalla in 1907 and Dorothy Eva was born in Benalla in 1909.
Priscilla went on to marry Robert Thomas Fair Meadows and spent most of her life in the Benalla districts as a well-known identity.
James successfully bred long-wooled sheep, becoming a very respected grower, and won prizes for his fleeces all over Australia.
He was a forward-thinking man and was one of the main movers and shakers in obtaining a school for the Upper Ryan’s Creek area, described at the time, as providing a school for settlers “in the wild mountain country”.
He willingly donated a half acre of land for the school to be built, recently heritage sign-posted on the Upper Ryan’s Creek Road, by the Molyullah Upper Ryans Creek Heritage Group.
He was also a signatory and supporter of the proposed railway line to be built through Molyullah, Upper Ryans Creek and further on to the King Valley.
The local station or siding was to be built only three miles from his home, with the railway lines running along the northern end of his property.
The Government Gazette of the times listed the support he would give and the produce he would shift on the new railroad, when completed.
However, this venture did not proceed, and there was never a railway line built through the area.
He was also an environmentally aware man and built an elaborate dam on his property to breed native fish, releasing them back into Ryans Creek. The hole in which he released his fish is still in the creek behind the house.
He was also known for driving a very smart pair of horses everywhere he went, and as time progressed, he purchased the first car in the district.
The Benalla Family Research Group hold photographs of his 60th birthday party being held in the dining room of the house, with a bevy of old cars parked out the front.
James died on February 2, 1928 aged 67 and is buried in the Church of England section, in the old part of the Benalla Cemetery together with his wife Jane, who died October 20, 1911, aged 45, with a significant headstone.
James sold Somerset to Bob and Emma Nicholas for £7.12.6d an acre, about $15.20 in today’s value.
Other owners have been Norman Hayes, Jack Short, Robin Armitage and Pos Lee.
The current proud owners are Jack and Sandy Rush.
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