Alexander Waddell writes on 27 November 1878 to the Editor of the Town and Country Journal to clarify the DISCOVERERS OF ARALUEN GOLDFIELD
Sir,– Noticing a statement made in the TOWN AND COUNTRY of November 2, by someone who signs him-self “J.O. “saying there were six or seven in the party that discovered the Araluen goldfield, I herewith beg to inform you there were only two, myself and Hicken, of which, if necessary, I can give you ample proof.
I also beg to say we have never received any reward for finding the same.
By inserting the above you will oblige.
ALEXANDER WADDELL. Mudmelong, Lower Araluen, November 27, 18781Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870-1919), Saturday 7 December 1878, p 17
Upon their discovery on 18 August 1851, Henry Hicken and Alexander Waddell wrote to the Honorable the Colonial Secretary, E.D. Thomson, Esq (copying in the Editor of the Sydney Morning Herald)2Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842-1954), Friday 18 August 1851
Sir, For the information of His Excellency the Governor. Sir Charles FitzRoy, we beg to inform you we have discovered a most extensive gold field in the bed of the Moruya River, and in the banks of either side of that river. We have found gold in every attempt we made to wash the soil; we had only a tin dish to wash the soil with, but usually got from eight to twelve grains of gold at each washing; the river, as it runs from and through the mountains for twenty miles upwards, runs through a country having the same appearance and formation to that where we have discovered the gold to exist in quantities. We may add, that from a dishful of soil we took from the side of the mountain, at an elevation of one hundred feet above the river, we washed out a few particles of gold. Having been to the gold diggings on the Turon, we were induced to seek for gold on this river from its general appearance being like that of the former; and this day’s digging in the bed of the Moruya has more than fully borne out our expectations. We beg leave to enclose for the Inspection of his Excellency the Governor, a few grains of the gold found this day, and trust that when the Moruya gold field is worked to so great advantage to the colony as we anticipate that his Excellency the Governor will be pleased to award us such award as this discovery and early information of it may merit. We have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servants. HENRY HICKENS. ALEXANDER WADDELL.
Henry Hicken (1821–1858)
Henry arrived in NSW in 1837 on board the Theresa. In 1844, he applied for convict permission to marry Mary Dunn (or Dunne). Henry received his Ticket of Leave in December 1845 and his Certificate of Freedom in April 1852. Henry and Mary were at first based in the area where their daughter Mary Anne was born in 1851.3Moruya Journal of the Moruya & District Historical Society Inc. March 2016 Moruya & District Historical Society. They moved to the Araluen area, probably by packhorse.
Gold was discovered in Bendigo in 1852 and many from the Araluen fields decided to try their luck there, including Henry. He made no great discovery there and by 1854 was back in Araluen where in 1857 their son John was born.
On 24 May 1858, the Sydney Morning Herald4Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842-1954), Saturday 15 May 1858, p 6 announced ‘it is with deep sorrow we have to record the sudden death of Mr. Henry Hicken aged 31 years, better known as Harry the Blacksmith on Monday, 3rd May 1858, on the Bellevue Plains about seven miles from Braidwood. From evidence taken at the inquest held, it appears that Hicken, who was on horseback, was cantering on his way home to Araluen Valley, from Braidwood, and in company with James Armstrong, licensed victualler (Peace and Plenty) residing in Araluen. This was between seven and eight p.m., and the night was very dark. Suddenly Harry’s horse stopped and pitched his rider over its head. Armstrong, seeing the horse coming without his master, dismounted at once, and found there was a prospecting hole on the road.‘ At the Coroner’s inquest 5Goulburn Herald and County of Argyle Advertiser (NSW : 1848-1859), Wednesday 12 May 1858, p 2 it was proven that he was perfectly sober and the jury, after a short consultation, returned a verdict of accidental death.
![Mary Hickin [Hicken] advertising for the Clare Inn, Upper Araluen in September 1862](https://araluenvalley-history.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Clare-Inn-Hickin-1862-Copy.png)
‘Mr. Hicken was a deservedly popular man amongst the fraternity of diggers. It was he who first discovered the hidden treasures of our district. Mr. Hicken was the pioneer of the Araluen gold-fields, having traced the precious metal from the mouth of the Moruya to the lower diggings, about five miles distant. It was he who first, at the Moruya, gave the example of abandoning comfortable homes to search for the precious metal; it was he who was one of the first to unfurl the banner of the Band of Hope in this district, and it was he who also was one of the first to raise his voice against the injustice done to the diggers by the Legislature. When, some time ago, Harry’s luck had failed him in digging, there was a talk amongst his brethren of presenting him with something in acknowledgment of his discoveries in our neighbourhood, but as soon after his lucky star shone again on him, the subject dropped. We are happy to hear that the echo of this talk is still sounding, and that a subscription is being raised to be presented to the widow and her two young children, as a mark of sympathy and gratitude.’ 6Sydney Morning Herald (NSW: 1842 – 1954), Saturday 15 May 1858, page 6
In September 1862, Mary Hickin,[Hicken] the widow of the late Henry Hickin, [Hicken] placed an advertisement in the Braidwood Observer 7Braidwood Observer and Miner’s Advocate (NSW: 1859 – 1862), Saturday 13 September 1862, page 1 to inform that she has obtained a license for the Clare Inn, Upper Araluen, late the Horse and Jockey Inn and ‘trusts by studying the wants of Visitors, to receive a share of public support’. [Note the Miners’ Rights Coat of Arms at the top of the advertisement]
Alexander Mclean Waddell (1829–1898)
Alexander8Lindsay and Roger Thwaites. The History of Araluen. National Capital Printing. 2001. p 6 is understood to have discovered Gold at an estimated site not far from the junction of the Deua River and Araluen Creek.
In 1851, Alexander married Margaret Robertson at Glenduart. Alexander and Margaret appear to have remained based in the Moruya area until at least 1858. They had three children born at Glenduart, (John b. 1852, Mary b. 1854 and Elizabeth b. 1856). Baby John died in 1853. Another child was born at Moggendoura (Christina b. 1858). They then travelled by packhorse to Araluen where five more children were born (Jane b. 1859, John b.1862, Alexander b. 1864, Neil b. 1866 and Juliet b. 1869). Alexander must have done reasonably well from his prospecting and built ‘Rose Cottage’9Chris Woodland. Araluen. A History through Photographs c. 1840–2000. Snap Printing, Williamstown, VIC. 2014. p 10 in Araluen. He continued prospecting for gold until about 1896. He died in Araluen on 7 November 1898. Margaret died on 3 August 1912 also in Araluen. Both are buried in Araluen.
Alexander’s death was reported in the Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal on 23 November 189810Braidwood Dispatch and Mining Journal (NSW : 1888-1954), Wednesday 23 November 1898, p 2 stating ‘Another old identity passed away on Thursday night last in the person of Mr. Alex. Waddell who had reached the age of 70 years. He had been ailing for some time past. The late Mr. Waddell came to the Valley shortly after gold was discovered in the creek, and has been interested more or less in the mining industry ever since. He was one of the most successful claim holders in the early days, and the stories he could tell of the enormous gold production of the Valley would make the mouths of the young men of today water. Of late years Mr. Waddell lived a retired life on his little property at Crown Flat. He was a man of active habits, straightforward in all his dealings, and had the respect of all who knew him. He was buried on Saturday, his funeral being numerously attended.‘