1860s

People in the Burragorang Valley begin to resettle on pieces of their own traditional land. They begin farming, build dwellings and call on local government to recognise their right to land. Johnson, Sacred Waters, p. 37.

Birth of James Lock (Jack) in Liverpool. He marries Lilly May Lee (1872 ) from Windsor.

Camden. “Conversion of the Aborigines". A few days ago an aboriginal named Major was buried at Camden. Deceased,who was only twenty-nine years of age, had learned to read and write, and worked like a white man. He did not only have a very good character, but a few months before his death was formally received into the Catholic Church, became a regular communicant, and was really remarkable for his piety. It is stated that nearly all the remaining members of the Burragorang are now Catholics.” (Trove: The Argus (Melbourne, V IC: 1848-1957).

Campbelltown. To the Editor of the Herald. "Bishop Patteson and the Blacks". ‘I have two boys, a black boy (apparently of pure breed) and a Sydney native apprenticed to me, on my farm, and in the little education I have been able to obtain for them, the black boy has left the Sydney native immeasurably behind him in school learning; besides which, there is no work on the farm but the black boy is, in all respects equal, and, in many instances, very superior to any while boy in the same condition of life. Added to which, there is a spirit and a liveliness about him which makes his company agreeable, and be invited to, and joins in any " gathering " going on in the district, and I am informed behaves himself very properly on all such occasions. Yours respectfully, J. D. B. (Campbelltown) (Trove: The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW: 18420-1954)

Picton. "AN ABORIGINAL "PRISONER" ’ Sir,- In this day's issue you have a paragraph headed, "An Aboriginal Prisoner." I am in a position to give you the particulars of this poor girl's case, and I hope the exposition may be the means of rescuing her from the life of misery to which she has been brought back. She is the daughter of Mary and Charlie, blacks, who for many years lived in and about the village of Picton, but who for the last few months have laid in the churchyard. The parties who have this girl again in their possession, have had her as servant of all work, and as a common drudge for the last two or three years; but they have not treated her as a servant, or even slave, for they have never clothed the girl since they have had her, unless filthy rags - hardly, and not sufficient at times to cover her nakedness - can be called clothing. Several parties have wished to release this poor girl from her bondage, but have not liked to interfere. However, some, friends got the girl a good home in Sydney, and she went to it rejoicing, but her taskmasters discovering her absence, by some means got a warrant issued for her apprehension, for absenting herself from her hired service. The girl is about fourteen or fifteen years of age. Now, Sir, perhaps you can inform me of this: Who had the power to bind that girl to service, and to such a service as she is bound to. As for wages, or education and clothing in lieu of wages, they are all moonshine. She has been left as ragged in mind as her clothes have been on her poor body. Is there not some institution that can claim that poor orphan, or must she be a slave - and worse than a slave - in this land of freedom? If not soon released from her present, position she will, it is feared, release herself by joining the tribe of blacks at Burragorang. She is a quick witted, good tempered girl; and, as you remark, it was a humiliating sight to you to see that poor thing in custody, so it was much more so to us, who know the circumstances, to see that poor girl brought back to lead a life worse than a dog's. I sincerely trust this may open an avenue for her escape from misery. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, CRAMBELOUN. Picton, March 13. (Trove – Empire (Sdney, NSW: 1850-1875).

Birth of Elizabeth Leane, (daughter of Lucy Leane) she marries George Smith in 1890.

Gilbert’s three oldest children are sent to the Emerald Hill Catholic Orphanage in Melbourne ‘with Black Annie to mind them’. George Gilbert might have thought that the children would receive a good Catholic education. In March 1866 George jnr died. Eliza was sent to a Catholic convent in Geelong where she stayed until 1873.J L Kohen 2009

George Gilbert moves to Ramahyuck mission on Lake Wellington. He marries a new wife Lady Ngary (1854-81) They have five daughters. One of these daughters is Lydia , she marries Charles Green whose grandfathers were King Charley of Krautungalung tribe and Kong Tommy Bunbra of the Tatungulung tribe.

Birth of Emma Leane, she marries William Crossland.

Birth of Ellen Leane, she marries Harry Accidentale in 1891.

Between this date and 1953, most of the 60 Koori people who are enrolled to vote are from families who have a close association with early land claims in the Burragorang Valley. J. Smith, ‘Gundungurra Country’, PhD thesis, 2008, p. 413.