Alexander Thomson

Alexander Thomson and Agnes immigrated to Australia sometime before 1844. Their daughter Jane was born in Tasmania in 1844 and Grace was born at Park Hill Station, Wannon, Victoria in 1845. Alexander operated the Fleece Inn in Green Hills, near the Grange, Victoria, Australia between September 1850 and September 1852. Green Hills was the earlier name for Condah. The inn was located in a prime position at the main junction of roads from Heywood, Portland and Port Fairy. It offered hospitality to travellers and their bullock teams and provided food and water for their animals. A description of the hotel in 1855, three years after Alexander had completed his lease, described the site as containing a house (hotel) of fourteen rooms, valued at £2600; a storehouse, kitchen and stable with stalls. There was a kitchen garden on about half an acre under vegetables and fruit trees, and a well. A total valuation of £3000. From March 1852 until June 1858 Alexander Thomson (as executor with his brother), leased the Park Hill pastoral run in the Wannon District, Victoria, Australia. The run had been held by his late brother William. Alexander and Robert then held the lease as executors until June 1858 when Alexander took over the run in his own name. In December 1863 the lease was transferred to Thomas Must. Park Hill was 9680 acres and held 7000 sheep. It was located on the Wannon River, ten miles east of Merino. In the Victorian Assessment of Stock in 1857, Park Hill had seven horses, forty cattle and 8500 sheep. From January 1858 until December 1863, Alexander Thomson leased a pastoral run at Bung Brungle, one mile north west of Bochara, Victoria, Australia. The land consisted of 7000 acres and could hold 5000 sheep. From January 1858 until 1866, Alexander Thomson leased a pastoral run at Mepunga in the Wannon District, Victoria, Australia. Mepuna was 8000 acres and held 5000 sheep. It was located on the Wannon River, ten miles south east of Coleraine. The run was cancelled in 1866. Until 1866 Alexander Thomson also leased a pastoral run at Murndal in the Wannon District, Victoria, Australia. The government then made the land available for selection, although Alexander was granted a pre-emptive section which was described by Samuel Winter in 1867 as `a desirable purchase being so near the river` though `mostly inferior land and worth only what sheep it will carry`. It appears that Alexander remained at Murndal after the lease had finished, and may have been employed as a station hand. Ian Thomson says that the story passed down through his family was that the family was tricked out of their land holdings. Alexander Thomson was admitted to the Ararat Lunatic Asylum on November 5, 1875 suffering from chorea. When he was admitted to the Asylum, his occupation was listed as formerly sheep farmer. He had sold (or had cancelled) his sheep runs in 1866. Alexander was admitted to the Asylum by the police. He had been suffering from chorea (Hun