1801 – 1819

1801

William PHILLIPS born, Plymouth, England.

1814-15  

William COX builds the first road across the Blue Mountains.

1814

Robert RAYNER born, Suffolk, England.

1816

Winbourne

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George COX (son of William) is granted 600 acres of land at Mulgoa, this becomes the site of his home ‘Winbourne’.

1820-1829

1820

William PHILLIPS, a convict, arrives in Australia aboard the “Coromandel”.

1821

James Blackman becomes the first European person in the immediate Mudgee area and the first to cross the Cudgegong River.

George COX is also involved in this exploration and takes up land in the Mudgee area.

1824

Martial law is declared resulting in the massacre of many Aboriginal people, quite likely including some of Diana’s family members. Information available suggests that Diana’s parents were killed in a massacre some time before 1839.

George Henry COX is born at ‘Winbourne’.

1826

Diana MUDGEE (Jennings) is born at Mudgee. Her birth is not officially registered. Birth date is assumed from Conditional Purchase records in 1885.

1830-1839

1830

Robert RAYNER, a convict, arrives in Australia on the “Burrill”.

1837

William PHILLIPS begins working for George COX at Bathurst.

1838

William PHILLIPS obtains a Ticket of Leave.

The town of Mudgee is gazetted.

George Cox granted 2,560 acres of land at Mudgee.

1839

Sarah Knight's baptism certificate

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Diana’s first child, Sarah KNIGHT, is born at Mulgoa. Her father is James KNIGHT.  

1840-1849

1840

Diana Mudgee and William Phillips marriage certificate

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Diana marries William PHILLIPS in St Thomas' Church at Mulgoa and returns to Mudgee shortly after.

1842-1845

Emma Phillips baptism certificate

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Diana has two daughters with William Phillips, Mary Ann and Emma, both born in the Mudgee area.

1845

William PHILLIPS disappears some time after the birth of Emma, his second daughter to Diana.

George Henry COX takes up administration of the Cox family estates in Mudgee.

1846

William PHILLIPS receives a Conditional Pardon.

Mudgee consists of 36 homes, 3 hotels, 1 hospital, 1 post office, 2 stores and an Anglican church.

1847

James KNIGHT dies at Mulgoa. George COX refers to James’ death in his letters to his son George Henry.

1847

William RAYNER, the first of seven children between Diana and Robert RAYNER is born. Robert Rayner and Diana never married. Robert was also involved with Mary CUMMINGS (CHRISTIE) and had two children to her.

1848

Elizabeth Rayner baptism certificate

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Elizabeth RAYNER born.

1850-1959

1850

New South Wales constitution grants voting rights to all male British subjects, including Aboriginal men.

1851

Jane Rayner baptism certificate

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Jane RAYNER born.

1852 (or 1862)

William PHILLIPS dies (records are unclear as to whether William died in 1852 or 1862).

1855

Shadrack Robert Rayner baptism certificate

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Shadrack Robert RAYNER born.

1857

John BLACKHALL arrives in Australia.

1858

Caroline RAYNER born.

1860-1869

1860

Caroline Rayner death certificate

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11 November, Piambong – Death of Diana’s daughter Caroline RAYNER from whooping cough.

Mudgee’s population increased to around 1500.

1860

Robert RAYNER aquires land at Piambong (near Mudgee) via conditional purchase.

1861

Harriet Rayner birth certificate

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Harriet RAYNER born.

1864

Construction of Burrundulla homestead is completed by George Henry COX.

1866

Thomas Rayner birth certificate

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4 July, Piambong – John BLACKHALL marries Diana’s daughter Elizabeth RAYNER, aged 18.

Thomas RAYNER born.

1870-1879

1871

3 June, Piambong – Death of Thomas RAYNER, Diana’s tenth child

1872

6 August, Mudgee – Marriage of George VITNELL to Diana’s daughter Jane RAYNER, aged 21.

1874

Robert Rayner death certificate

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August 6 – Robert RAYNER dies at Mudgee

1875

John and Elizabeth BLACKHALL take up 50 acres of land at Spicers Creek

1877

8 April – Marriage of Diana’s son Shadrack Robert RAYNER to Sarah Ann METCALF

1878

Submission made to establish a school at Spicers Creek.

1 October – Marriage of Richard SMITH and Diana’s daughter, Harriet RAYNER, aged 17.

1880-1889

1880

John BLACKHALL becomes the first postmaster of Spicers Creek.

John BLACKHALL acquires a further 300 acres of land

1885

Application for Conditional Purchase

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Diana Mudgee submits application for a Conditional Purchase of 400 acres at Piambong.

Diana Mudgee is granted a Conditional Purchase of 400 acres of land at Piambong which she is able to improve with the assistance of George Henry Cox.

1886

Death of Diana's daughter, Harriet SMITH (nee RAYNER), aged 25.

1890-1899

1892

Diana applies for additional land.

1896

By this time, ownership of the land previously owned by Diana has fallen to Reginald Belmore COX.

1900-1919

1902

4 May, Piambong – Death of Diana Mudgee, aged 76. Buried Piambong.

The Commonwealth Franchise Act of 1902 revokes the voting rights of Aboriginal men.

Women are granted voting rights in Australia.

1917

11 October, Spicers Creek – Death of Elizabeth BLACKHALL (nee RAYNER).

1919

24 March, Dubbo – Death of Jane VITNELL (nee RAYNER).

1920-

1922

William Rayner death certificate

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28 July, Cunnamulla QLD – Death of William RAYNER, aged 75.

1924

Shadrack Robert Rayner death certificate

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30 September – Death of Shadrack Robert RAYNER, aged 69.