Identifiernot specifiedDate27th September 1902SurveyorJ. M. ConroyAuctioneersHardie & GormanLocationPennant HillsDescriptionAuction of land at the Oakes' Grant Estate, Pennant Hills.
Oakes, Francis (1770-1844)
Francis Oakes, who was a Congregatioal missionary and a shoemaker by trade, occupied land on what was known as the Northern Boundary of a group of land grants along the present site of Pennant Hills Road. In 1804 he added 50 adjoining acres to the west and called his property Langford Farm. His neighbour was Rowland Hassell. That same year the Sydney Gazette used the term Pendant Hills as the site of Francis Oakes' farm when he reported a fire there. In 1806 he married Rebecca Small daughter of John and Mary Small emancipated First Fleeters. Oakes held many crown offices in Parramatta including being appointed Chief Constable in 1805 and Clerk of the Market and Superintndent of the Female Factory. His position as Chief Constable led him into involvement with the Macarthur-Bligh wrangle and he had an absence of over two years in England as witness for Bligh at Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston's Court Martial in 1810-11. Patricia Dewey/2020
