COAL RIVER HISTORY

Variations Sponsford, Sponsforth.  Born circa 1735.  Arrived in Van Diemen's Land 1^st March 1808.  Initial grant of 30 acres in the Parish of Argyle (Hobart) was made to Sponforth in 1813.  Married Catherine Loftus on 18^th May 1820.  Received a further grant of 50 acres at the Coal River under Gunning's Sugar Loaf in 1823.  Sponforth appears to have resided on this latter grant. 

William Clark, blacksmith of Hobart Town, evidently had stock agisted with Sponforth in 1824:
"Lost, from the Herd of Zachariah Sponsford, about ten days before Christmas, 1824, at the Coal River, an Iron-grey coloured Bullock, about five-years old, marked W.C. on the near hip."
Clark offered a reward of $10 for the return of the bullock.¹

In 1826, the Land Commisioners described Mr and Mrs Sponforth as being "an old Man and Woman."  In 1832, "Mrs. Catherine Sponsford" died aged 78 years.  The death was recorded in the Sorell Register, but she was probably buried at Richmond.  Zachariah Sponsford died and was buried on the 8^th October 1832 aged 97 years.  He was described as living "nr Richmond".

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¹ Colonial Times, 7 October 1825, p.1, c.1.

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