Gunning & District Historical Society

The official party at the Samuel Clayton Book Launch. Good afternoon everyone. My husband Victor and I are so disappointed that we can’t be with you today. We had been looking forward to it so much and would love to meet you all and to go on the tour of the Baltinglass site. Little did I know a few years ago when I started researching Victor’s family tree that it would lead to such an interesting story. However, it wasn’t just a ‘story’, it was an insight into our history and yours on a very human level. Despite his crime Samuel Clayton was a man that I came to admire greatly. Both he and his son Benjamin were the type of individuals who built Australia into the wonderful country that it is today. I think Samuel’s descendants in Australia, some of whom are with you today, can be very proud of their heritage. I would like to thank the Mayor Mr Brian McCormack for launching my book. I would also like to thank Rosemary Spiller and the Gunning and District Historical Society ...

Tense negotiations underway in Dublin between Irish author Margaret Smith and GDHS’s then secretary, Rosemary Spiller, about arrangements for launching her book in Australia.  Gunning and District Historical Society is delighted to assist Anchor Books to launch a new book which sheds light on a little known aspect of Australian and local Gunning history.  Samuel Clayton – Forger, Freemason, Freeman by Irish author Margaret Smith tells the story of an Irish engraver, transported for forgery, and his son Dr Benjamin Clayton.  Both prospered in Australia and played prominent roles in early colonial life.  Their stories deserve to be known. The Claytons, father and son, were successful graziers in the Gunning and Tumut districts.  More than that, their property Baltinglass very near to Gunning village, on the junction of Meadow Creek and the Lachlan River, was the very first successful major wine producer in what is now the Canberra District...