NameBeatson, DuncanOccupationEstate ManagerPlace of ResidenceAlbion ParkBiographyDuncan Beatson was born 1807 in Scotland to John and Christina nee: McCallum. He arrived on the 'St. George' with his widowed mother, 4 sisters and 6 brothers 15 November 1838. His father died before the family embarked, with Duncan as the eldest son, promising his father to look after his mother and the family in Australia.
Duncan was engaged in Scotland by an agent to joint manage the Terry Hughes Estate with Andrew McGill.
The Beatson Family, the Mc Gill family and the Ewan Campbell Family including young Archibald (later to become a Member of Parliament) arrived in Australia aboard the same ship in November 1838.
The Beatson family settled at Terry’s Meadows, where Duncan took up the position as joint manager for John Terry Hughes of Terry’s Meadows Albion Park. Duncan was a noted breeder of cattle of the Durham Shorthorns, Ayrshires and Devon breed.
Due to anger at the number of times ships passed the harbour without calling for butter, cattle and stock brought by the farmers for shipment, it was resolved at a meeting at the Settlers Arms in March 1860 to form the Shellharbour Steam Navigation Company. A committee was formed to distribute shares. It included Duncan Beatson, with T.A. Reddall, Russell, McGill, Graham, Wilson, Collins. W. Wilson and T. Cosgrove.
Duncan Beatson built the first hotel The Albion at Albion Park in 1863, on the s/e corner of Tongarra Road and Terry Street, part of 5 acres of lot 27.
In 1865 Duncan Beatson sold his Albion Hotel to James Duffin, a commission agent. (ref. research LTO original deeds).
Archibald Beatson, Duncan’s brother, became a farmer, a judge of horses and cattle, and Alderman on Wollongong Borough Council. Another brother Donald, Mayor of Penrith 1876-7, and nephews Duncan, Mayor of Grafton 1882, 1893,1899, and John Archibald, Mayor 1891 Wollongong Council and member of many trust funds.
A niece Jane, Mayoress of Grafton in 1921, was awarded the Coronation Medals King George V (1910) and King George V1 (1927) for her industrious work for the town and Presbyterian Church Grafton.
Duncan Beatson, unmarried, appeared to honour his father’s wish to provide for his mother and family. He died in 1871 at Albion Park, and was buried at the Shellharbour foreshore cemetery in the Beatson family tomb. His mother predeceased him in 1861.
