Edward Hargraves

About Edward Hargraves

Who is it?: Gold Prospector
Birth Day: October 07, 1816
Birth Place: Gosport, Hampshire, Australian
Occupation: Commissioner of Crown Lands
Known for: Australian gold rush

Edward Hargraves

Edward Hargraves was born on October 07, 1816 in Gosport, Hampshire, Australian, is Gold Prospector. Edward Hammond Hargraves was one of the most famed and colourful explorers of gold during the gold rush era. He claimed to have discovered gold in Australia in 1851. Hargraves was the pioneer of the Australian gold rush that started in New South Wales. His announcement of availability of payable gold in New South Wales paved way for a sea of immigrants and gold diggers in the continent. Hargraves, a gold prospector who began his gold search in California also remained a shopkeeper, sailor, publican and adventurist before his exploration of gold. He had made himself adept in various techniques including cradling, panning and excavating and led an expedition in the Californian landscapes in 1850, but the result was not that fruitful. Finding similar characteristics between the landscapes of California and New South Wales, he inferred that the landscape of the latter has a probability of containing similar gold deposits as in California. His discovery of gold in the area which later became famous as Ophir, fetched him name, fame, government rewards, testimonials and trophies.
Edward Hargraves is a member of Miscellaneous

Does Edward Hargraves Dead or Alive?

As per our current Database, Edward Hargraves has been died on 29 October 1891(1891-10-29) (aged 75)\nSydney.

🎂 Edward Hargraves - Age, Bio, Faces and Birthday

When Edward Hargraves die, Edward Hargraves was 75 years old.

Popular As Edward Hargraves
Occupation Miscellaneous
Age 75 years old
Zodiac Sign Scorpio
Born October 07, 1816 (Gosport, Hampshire, Australian)
Birthday October 07
Town/City Gosport, Hampshire, Australian
Nationality Australian

🌙 Zodiac

Edward Hargraves’s zodiac sign is Scorpio. According to astrologers, Scorpio-born are passionate and assertive people. They are determined and decisive, and will research until they find out the truth. Scorpio is a great leader, always aware of the situation and also features prominently in resourcefulness. Scorpio is a Water sign and lives to experience and express emotions. Although emotions are very important for Scorpio, they manifest them differently than other water signs. In any case, you can be sure that the Scorpio will keep your secrets, whatever they may be.

🌙 Chinese Zodiac Signs

Edward Hargraves was born in the Year of the Rat. Those born under the Chinese Zodiac sign of the Rat are quick-witted, clever, charming, sharp and funny. They have excellent taste, are a good friend and are generous and loyal to others considered part of its pack. Motivated by money, can be greedy, is ever curious, seeks knowledge and welcomes challenges. Compatible with Dragon or Monkey.

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Biography/Timeline

1851

Edward Hammond Hargraves was born in Gosport, Hampshire, England, the third son of Lieutenant John Edward Hargraves and his wife Elizabeth Hargraves. He was educated at Brighton Grammar School in England and Lewes. He travelled to California during the California Gold Rush, but his prospecting there was not successful. On 12 February 1851 he, with John Lister, william and James Tom, found five specks of gold in Lewis Ponds Creek in New South Wales Australia. Enlisting the help of others to continue the search, he returned to Sydney in March to interview the Colonial Secretary, and, encouraged by his friends at Bathurst, wrote to the Sydney Morning Herald describing the rich fields.

1855

Hargraves wrote a book about his discovery titled Australia and its Goldfields: a historical Sketch of the Australian colonies from the earliest times to the present day with a particular account of the recent gold discoveries, published in 1855.

1856

In 1856, Hargraves purchased a 640-acre (260 ha) landing at Budgewoi on the Central Coast of New South Wales. He went on to build "Norahville" at Noraville. Wollombi Aboriginal Tribe members are known to have worked on the property. Some sources state that Hargraves had "befriended" the Aboriginal tribe members.

1891

In 1877, Hargraves was granted a pension of £250 per year by the Government of New South Wales, which he received until his death. Shortly before his death in Sydney on 29 October 1891, a second enquiry found that John Lister and James Tom had discovered the first goldfield. Lister is buried in the cemetery at Millthorpe, NSW and Tom at Byng, NSW, both within 20km of Ophir.

2013

Hargraves was rewarded by the New South Wales Government for his find – he was paid £10,000 and was appointed Commissioner of Crown Lands. The Victorian Government paid him £5,000. He only claimed £2,381 before the funds were frozen after James Lister protested. An enquiry was held in 1853 which upheld that Hargraves was the first to discover the goldfield. The goldfield, Ophir, New South Wales, was then named Ophir.

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