Collection RS94 - George Taylor

George Taylor (1758-1828), farmer, was born at Balvaird, near Abernethy, Scotland, and in March 1791 married Mary Low of the same parish. With their eight children they occupied Balvaird Farm, leased by his family from the earl of Mansfield since the seventeenth century. In 1822 Taylor emigrated to Van Diemen's Land with most of his family, arriving in the Princess Charlotte at Hobart Town in January 1823. He brought with him the usual letter of recommendation from the Colonial Office and capital of £890, and received an 800-acre (324 ha) land grant on the Macquarie River, which he named Valleyfield. Three of his sons, Robert (1791-1861), David (1796-1860) and George (1800-1826) each brought a letter of recommendation and capital of £700, and each was granted 700 acres (283 ha) on the Macquarie south of Valleyfield.
In July 1824 the family successfully defended their home against a gang of seven bushrangers led by James Crawford, and including Matthew Brady and McCabe. The Taylors' defence was so vigorous that the bushrangers were forced to withdraw leaving behind their stores and ammunition. Crawford and another of the gang were captured and later executed in Launceston. Writing to Taylor later in 1824 Lieutenant-Governor Arthur highly commended the family's spirited defence of their home and held it as an example to other settlers.
For more information see: http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/taylor-george-2717