It is not known why Richard and his family left the place they once called home for this newly discovered continent, with its extremely harsh climate.

When and why did the family settle in Braidwood? Were they seeking to find fame and fortune in the gold fields in the Araluen district, or was it because the Braidwood district has a cooler climate?

It has been said, through stories passed down from my grandfather that Richard had two brothers that also immigrated to Australia. It was said that the three borthers headed in three different directions. I am not sure whether the directions they headed refer to States or just different directions within New South Wales.

Is this story fact or fiction???

Todate, no evidence to support this story has been found. In fact, on Richards's shipping document he informed the clerk that he had no relatives living in the Australian Colonies, therefore, if this story was true the other brothers may have immigrated at the same time on a different ship or after Richard.

Once arriving in this progressive township, Richard required a home to raise his family. He leased 216 acres in Clyde Road called "Devon Farm"

When the family settled in Braidwood it was a small administrative and service centre for the surrounding pastoral stations.

Braidwood was the meeting place of rough tracks that went from Goulburn, Bungonia and Nowra in the north, to the Monaro in the south, from the Limestone Plains and Queanbeyan in the west, to the coast at Moruya and Batemans Bay in the east.

During the gold rush around the late1850s to 1870s, Braidwood became a transit town with hundreds arriving weekly on their way to the various fields. The population increased dramatically as new stores, hotels etc., opened to meet the demands of the travellers.

The initial development of business was in MacKellar Street, the first east - west cross street after Monkittee Creek had been forded at the northern entrance to the town, and on the northern slopes of Wallace Street, the central north - south road of the village, leading to the Court House on the crest of the central ridge.

The following list of business houses in 1859 gives an interesting picture of the village.

After visiting the Hannaford family who were still living in Braidwood (1990's), I was informed that Richard had always leased the farm, and had never purchased any property. The Hannaford family purchased the 216 acres to incorporate into their 4000 acre property "Meroo" (Hannaford Pastoral Company).

Devon Farm was not fully worked as Richard was a builder-stonemason by trade and continued with this profession.