James O'Hara, the first legal settler of Kenthurst, a farmer and publican.

James O'Hara, son of John O'Hara and Mary Jones, was born on 2 August, 1792. He married Elizabeth Ramsay and they had three children.

Monument in Kenthurst Rotary Park to Celebrate The Year of the Volunteer and Mark 100 Years Of Federation.

Monument in Kenthurst Rotary Park to Celebrate The Year of the Volunteer and Mark 100 Years Of Federation.

When James was born, his mother was 25, and his father was 26. On the 12th of August, he was baptised by Reverend Johnson, 'James Jones son of John O'Harra and Mary Jones born August the 2nd'.

Death of Father

On the 27th of September, 1809, John O'Hara passed away. James was 17 years old.

James O'Hara married Elizabeth Ramsay in 1809. Note: Elizabeth's surname is unknown, probably Ramsay based on circumstantial evidence. 1809 is a guess, based on children's births. The marriage has not been found. There are only 3 marriages in the register of St Johns Parramatta in 1809, why?

Son John is born in 1809. James is born on the 17th of July, 1812.

In 1812, James recommends a pardon to William Wall , who was a convict who had worked as a stockman for three years for O'Hara. James O'Hara writes on Wall's petition to the Governor. Wall received a Conditional Pardon the following year.

A daughter is born.

Mary O'Hara is born on the 3rd of September, 1814.

Becomes a publican, briefly

He applied for a publican's licence in 1815. He bought a building in Macquarie Street Parramatta for his new business, which he also used as a residence. However he is soon in debt. In 1816 James O'Hara had to appear at the Governor's Court for the nonpayment of debt. Michael O'Brien and John Ramsey of Long Reef stood surety for O'Hara. #publican

James O'Hara, Governors Court, 1816. AO NSW 4/7860 item 131 Rushton vs O'Hara.

Sells Father's property at Seven Hills

This is sold to Morgan Poor for 200 pounds in 1817. He also had to sell the Parramatta property in August.

'Wife Elizabeth O'Hara to leave Sydney' in the Sydney Gazette

"Claims against Elizabeth O'Hara are requested to be rendered, as she leaves the Colony per Ship Frederick". Why she wanted to leave the colony is not known. She went to Hobart. Note that John Ramsay's wife (and son) also left around this time.

New Land Grant in 1818

60 acres in 1818 near Michael O'Brien's land: 'Bathurst' region of Cumberland Plain, Por 68 parish of Gidley, the area was more commonly referred to as Seven Hills, just north of present day Meurants Lane, 1.5 miles north of his father's original grant.

In 1819, his wife Elizabeth passes away. She was 28 and they had been married for 10 years.

Applies for a Land Grant

The local magistrate John Harris recommends him, and mentions that Elizabeth has left him, and gone to Batavia.

A local schoolteacher is arrested

From 1818, Christopher Limbear Bridges had been employed by the local farmers to teach their children. He was arrested for having forged his Certificate of Freedom. O'Hara, O'Brien and 6 other local land holders sign a petition supporting him.

Another Land Grant

50 acres is granted in 1823 in the district known as "Castle Hill", Por 95 Parish Nelson. Only two other grants were made in this area in 1823: 50 acres to Michael O'Brien's brother-in-law Michael Cantwell and 60 acres to Thomas Sanders, no more for another 35 years.

The 1828 census records James O'Hara senior was living at his 'Castle Hill' land. Here, 25 of the 50 acres were cleared and cultivated, as were 20 of the 60 acres at his land at Seven Hills. His son James, now 16, was living with him and he employed a labourer John Hughes.

New South Wales Colonial Secretary Papers.

New South Wales Colonial Secretary Papers.

New South Wales Colonial Secretary Papers.

James's mother and children are convicted of receiving from bushrangers in 1831

As a result of him living at Castle Hill, he did not become involved with the bushrangers, so unlike his mother, and his children (at Seven Hills), he was not arrested for receiving.

Norfolk Island Death of Son

His son John passed away on the 4th of July 1838 at the age of 29.

In January, 1845, his mother passes away. She is 78 years old.

Transfers Land

He transferred 60 acres of land on Pitt Town Road which he had bought from Thomas Sanders, to his son James junior in 1845. He also transferred 25 acres of his 50 acre 1823 land grant to his daughter Mary Blake in 1846. She and her husband were already living there.

James O'Hara passes away on the 9th of May, 1867 from old age and debility.

James O'Hara's Death Certificate.