Cliefden, Mandurama

1870 photo shows the graveyard and the scale of the barn and woolshed building

By virtue of orders issued to them by Governor Darling, dated 22 April 1831, Frederick John and William Montagu Rothery obtained grants of 2460 acres (995.6ha) each and chose them 12 miles (19.3 km) west of Coombing on the left bank of Limestone Creek, Portions 1 & 2, Parish of Mallongul. They named them Cliefden Springs and Cliefden respectively, after Cliefden in Buckinghamshire, once the summer retreat and favourite residence of Frederick, Prince of Wales, father of George III to whose entourage, family tradition relates, a Rothery ancestor was attached.[2][1]

The property Cliefden was taken up by William Montagu Rothery in 1831. William married Fanny Oceania Lockyer and they settled at Cliefden in 1842 where they went on to have 14 children and to take care of 3 of his brothers children. The property has been in the continuous ownership of the Rothery family since 1831.[3][1]

W. M. Rothery in 1838 held 9824 acres (3975 ha) by grant and purchase with an overseer by the name of Bain and ten assigned convicts. The following year, the number of assigned convicts was sixteen and it is stated that in place of an overseer the property was supervised personally by W. M. Rothery. This could well indicate that the "substantial" house for which 200,000 bricks were contracted to be made (a document signed between W. M. Rothery and convict brick maker John Bedley) in 1838 was occupied that following year.[2][1]

Rothery was the brother-in-law of Thomas Icely of Coombing Park nearby. The Cliefden Barn and house were constructed between 1838 and 1842.[3] The house originally had at least 26 rooms as well as servants quarters. The building is Old Colonial Georgian in style and is built of bricks manufactured on Cliefden. Rothery raised blood horses, an important aspect of his financial ventures. The Barn contains under one roof the stables, coach house, meat-house, barn and shearing-shed.[3][1]

The Ben Hall gang, dressed in stolen police uniforms, raided Cliefden on 26 September 1863. The gang were attracted by the renown of William Rothery's horses. The gang spent about three hours mustering horses and putting them through their paces, finally selecting three horses and two saddles. They also helped themselves to a quantity of money, food and a pair of boots.[1]

Hall and his gang made two more visits to Cliefden, the first on 23 June 1864. Hall was upset to discover the Station was well protected, being able only to get away with three horses. As a parting gesture, Hall set fire to a large hay stack and a shed.[4] Cliefden continued to be well protected, and on 29 November the gang returned, only to be frightened away by a party of police who were visiting the house.[5][1]

Both the homestead and the out-building retain many of their Victorian contents. The carriage which brought the family over the Blue Mountains in 1842 is still in good order, though kept in the meat-house section; until a year or two ago, Rothery horses used the original stalls in the stable section; and shearing still goes on today, using the slab weather-shed later attached to the brick building, with the sheep still using the original slab pens and exits. The Ferrier woolpress (the same make as at Coombing Park) stands spectacularly in its own empty hall: the impact of entering this great space dominated by the one machine is really remarkable today. Down in the paddock there is the 1830s limekiln which helped to build this remarkable complex: it is the earliest limekiln over the Mountains.[3][1]

The northern elevation of the barn and woolshed building

The farm homestead complex is within a larger farm, which is not heritage-listed. The homestead complex is located on top of a hill with views to the west, north and east. There is a spectacular view east to Mount Canobolas (which is west of Orange). Other views are available north and west including to Limestone Creek. There is a family cemetery located east of and away from the house that documents the generations of Rotherys that have lived at Cliefden. Three knolls or local high points are to the homestead complex's west, south and south-east (the latter being the highest).[1]

A drive to Belubula Way leads east–west to the homestead, approaching it from the east and south, coming close to its western (rear) side, between the Stables complex and homestead and continuing on to the knoll to the west. A dam is located further south-west. A weir in Limestone Creek is to the homestead's north-west.[1]

A tennis court and shed are to the homestead complex's west.[6][1]

Evidence of brick making and kilns are also in this direction, between homestead complex and creek to the homestead's north-west.[6] Here is the 1830s limekiln which helped to build this remarkable complex: it is the earliest limekiln over the Mountains.[3][1]

Heritage boundaries

Cliefden contributes to the State significance of the Ben Hall Sites as evidence of bushranger's attacks on private residences and horse stealing. The horse stealing demonstrates the historical importance of horses as the dominant mode of transport and highly prized possessions. Bushranging required horses and the success of Ben Hall and his gang as bushrangers was dependent upon their ability to acquire quality horses that could out-class those provided to the police. The raids on Cliefden demonstrate the importance of horses and Hall's skill and experience in selecting and working with the best breeds.

Cliefden is historically significant in providing evidence of a continuous tradition of rural farming practices from the 1830s until the present day under the ownership of one family. Settled by William Montagu Rothery the homestead farm complex illustrates the working relationships of the once 10,000 hectare sheep station and horse stud over time.[1]

Cliefden is of State significance through its associations with Ben Hall. Hall and his gang were feared by the public and had an impact on a variety of activities, including the fortification of homesteads. Cliefden homestead provides physical evidence of homestead fortification in its enclosed courtyard planning; gun slot by the entrance and thick walls.[1]

Cliefden barn and house are architecturally and aesthetically significant at a State level. Cliefden is architecturally a good representative example of Colonial Georgian farm complex.[1]

Cliefden contributes to the State significance of the Ben Hall Sites as a place recognised by the public to be associated with Ben Hall. Until recently the property was a tourist destination and was available for inspection by groups. Hall is one of the best known bushrangers who operated in New South Wales and forms a significant element in the construction of Australian identity.[1]

Cliefden has archaeological potential. Archaeological investigation may reveal further details about the original homestead which was said to have 26 rooms as well as servants quarters. There may also be evidence about horse breeding and agricultural practices on the station. Cliefden also has significance for it association with the Rothery family who have lived there continuously since c.1832. The Rothery family were well-known horse breeders in the 19th century.[1]

The Ben Hall Sites - Cliefden was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 8 October 2010 having satisfied the following criteria.[1]

The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales.

Cliefden contributes to the State significance of the Ben Hall Sites as evidence of bushranger's attacks on private residences and horse stealing. The horse stealing demonstrates the historical importance of horses as the dominant mode of transport and highly prized possessions. Bushranging required horses and the success of a bushranger hung on his ability to acquire quality horses that could out-class those provided to the police. The raids on Cliefden demonstrates the importance of horses and the bushrangers skill and experience in selecting and working with the best breeds. Cliefden is historically significant in providing evidence of a continuous tradition of rural farming practices from the 1830s until the present day under the ownership of one family. Settled by William Montagu Rothery the homestead farm complex illustrates the working relationships of the once 10,000 hectare sheep station and horse stud over time.[1]

The place has a strong or special association with a person, or group of persons, of importance of cultural or natural history of New South Wales's history.

Cliefden is of State significance through its associations with Ben Hall. Hall and his gang were feared by the public and had an impact on a variety of activities, including the fortification of homesteads. Cliefden provides physical evidence of homestead fortification.[1]

Cliefden has local significance for it association with the Rothery family who have lived there continuously since 1842. The Rothery family were well-known horse breeders in the 19th century. William Montagu Rothery was an influential colonial settler in the area.[1]

The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.

Cliefden barn and house are architecturally and aesthetically significant at a State level. The house is a good example of a Colonial Georgian dwelling which was progressively modified in order to fortify against the attacks of bushrangers and to cater for a growing family. The courtyard planning of the homestead is of particular interest as it enabled the stations thoroughbred horses to be protected within the house enclosure should the homestead come under attack.[1]

The place has strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons.

Cliefden contributes to the State significance of the Ben Hall Sites as a site recognised by the public to be associated with Ben Hall. Until recently the property was a tourist destination and was available for inspection by groups. Hall is one of the best known bushrangers who operated in New South Wales and forms a significant element to the construction of Australian identity.[1]

The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.

Cliefden has archaeological potential. Archaeological investigation may reveal further details about the original homestead and the gradual changes that were made to fortify it against attack. There may also be evidence about horse breeding and agricultural practices on the station.[1]

The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.

Cliefden provides rare physical evidence of the fortification of rural farm complexes against attacks by bushrangers.[1]

The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places/environments in New South Wales.

Cliefden is significant at a State level as an example of rural properties targeted by bushrangers for the purposes of stealing the highest quality horses. Cliefden is architecturally a good representative example of a Colonial Georgian farm complex.[1]