On 2 March 1874 Conrad applied for naturalization, stating that he wished to purchase land in the Colony of New South Wales.
Naturalization was granted on 8 April 1874 and it appears that about this time Conrad and Louisa settled at “Slatey Gully”. “Slatey Gully” was originally selected by Charles Mell, who had held it for only a year or so when purchased by Conrad Simshauser. Charles Mell married Augusta Garske in 1872 – Augusta came with her family on the “Alster” with Conrad and Louisa.
In her recollections Caroline Minnie Michell (daughter of Charles Mell), refers to her father.
‘My father Charles Mell selected “Slatey Gully”, a few miles west of Barraba and not far from the Garskes. A year or so later Father sold “Slatey Gully” to the Simshausers. They too had come from Germany, and in later years I knew the family well and on occasions visited the older Simshausers in the company of my parents.
They were, in a way, this old couple, strangers in a strange land, somewhat aloof and keeping much to themselves. But I remember them as careful, methodical people. Nothing was out of place in or around that house. In the kitchen, which in accordance with the customs of the time was a simple slab-walled building standing apart from the main house, everything was scrubbed and spotlessly clean, and the utensils to the last tin on the shelf above the large fireplace had been polished until they shone and sparkled.’
“Slatey Gully” eventually extended to a property of approximately 3,500 acres. During the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, sheep grazing, some beef production and farming were the chief sources of income.
Conrad and Louisa and their family lived and worked on “Slatey Gully” until Conrad’s death in 1911 at the age of 73. Conrad bequeathed all to Louisa –
“I give, devise and bequeath unto my wife Louisa Simshauser for her absolute use and benefit all my real and personal estate wheresoever situated.
(Dated 20 April 1900, Louisa was sole executor)
After Conrad’s death, Louisa, together with her sons Charles and John, carried on, until finally she moved to Barraba. There she lived with her son John Simon and his wife Louisa Catherine at “Dresden” in Edward Street. Louisa died at Edward Street in 1932, and at the time of her death she was Barraba’s oldest resident – 93 years of age.
Louisa’s estate was reportedly estimated to be valued at 32,000 pounds. In her will, dated November 1928, Louisa nominated each of her children (except Charles who died in September 1928) as beneficiaries – with the net income of her estate to be ‘divided into seven equal parts and to pay one of such parts to each, or use the same for their respective maintenances as my Trusts may decide.’
In actual fact, there were several clauses in the will restricting direct distribution of proceeds. By the time of Louisa’s death, John Simon, Frederick Christian and William Conrad had pre-deceased her, and this necessitated the Trust to distribute assets many ways (about 36 beneficiaries). However, discrepancies appear to have occurred, leaving many questions unanswered regarding Louisa’s estate.
“In 1927 Ken Wilson (“The Brigalows”) purchased “Slatey Gully” for his two daughters, Honor and Sue, who lived in Sydney.” (quote Mrs Golsby) Mr Russel Cox of Barraba says, “My father Ces Cox, who was employed at “The Brigalows, became working manager and lived there with his family for 40 years, until his retirement in 1970. At first he lived in the brick house at “Slatey Gully” until about 1950, when a new dwelling was built.” (where Danny White now lives)
Percy Etheridge was caring for the Estate of “Slatey Gully” at the time of Ken Wilson purchasing it. After Ces Cox retired, Mr and Mrs Golsby lived there for a period of 12 years. (Mrs Golsby is a grand-daughter of Ken Wilson.) Eventually, a portion was sold to David Spencer at “Mulwarrie” and the front portion to Mr and Mrs Danny White.
It would have been named “Slatey Gully” as a gully running through the property is full of slate, some of which was used in the building of sheds around the Barraba district in the early days.
The homestead dwellings at “Slatey Gully” form an interesting group – three buildings in very close proximity to each other. The slab building, which has been well preserved, apparently was the first house built, then the brick house and lastly the four-bedroom timber building. (The slab building is of special interest as it is one of the oldest dwellings in the Barraba district still standing.)
The slab hut was constructed of adze cut timber palings obtained by splitting trees, so that each slab had part of the ’round’ of the trunk. Corner posts would have supported the structure, including long beams around the top, and grooved sleepers on the ground. These slabs were fitted vertically close together with the ends into the grooved timber.
The roof originally may have been of bark or wooden shingles. On close examination, the slab hut building at “Slatey Gully” has been reduced by one-third of its original size. Sawn cut timber at one end of the building and in the roof area indicates that it has been changed. The original floral wallpaper is still visible in places.
“It is believed that the original settlement on “Slatey Gully” was on a spot – now marked by a clump of fig trees, about two miles to the back of “Slatey Gully” towards “Mulwarrie”. Probably situated on what would have been the original 40 acre holding.”
(Quote Russel Cox, Barraba, 6 March 1992)
