People

Reddall Family

John Reddall arrived in Sydney in 1820 with his parents, the Reverend Thomas and Isabella Reddall, and six brothers and sisters. In 1828, he married Martha Wentworth, the daughter of original Peterborough Estate (Shellharbour) owner D’Arcy Wentworth, and half-sister to explorer and politician William Charles Wentworth.

John Reddall was active in trade between Sydney and India, and by 1827 had a 400-acre grant with permission to purchase a further 6000 acres in the Colony. In 1840, John went bankrupt and by 1844 was confined in the mental asylum at Tarban Creek, Gladesville. His wife Martha, died in 1847, but even before this, John’s mother Isabella cared for his children.

John and Martha’s son, Thomas Alexander Reddall was born in 1832. Thomas Alexander inherited 2741 acres of his grandfather D’Arcy Wentworth’s original estate on his mother’s death in 1847. The area was north of Shellharbour Village.

Thomas married Charlotte Osborne, daughter of Henry Osborne of Marshall Mount. The family lived at Captain Addison’s original home on the shore of Lake Illawarra near Mount Warrigal. Stephen Addison had also married one of D’Arcy Wentworth’s daughters and managed the Peterborough Estate for his father-in-law in the early 1800’s.

Thomas and Charlotte’s son, John Ernest Reddall, the great grandson of D’Arcy Wentworth, married local girl Maud Craig. They settled at Stoney Range where they built their family home, and named it Wentworth Cottage.

Wentworth Cottage Park marks the site of the Reddall homestead today.

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Shellharbour City Council acknowledges the traditional custodians of Dharawal Country and recognises their continued connection to the land. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and the contribution they make to the life of this city.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images or names of people who have since passed.