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The Colonial Times of 3rd November 1840 included a feature on the "Colebrook Dale Station":
"This station is about the centre of the valley of Jerusalem, and the key to the grand line of road to Swan Port. We understand that it is a most interesting place, and from the road leading to the two other capitals, the one by Richmond, and the other by Oatlands, we think it will soon become a great thoroughfare. There is a military and road-gang station erected there, much to the credit of the government, which has very properly appreciated its importance. The station is under the charge of Lieut. Crookshanks, a young man of very amiable manners, and who pays a close attention to his charge. The rations to the soldiers and convicts are superior to anything we have seen in the Colony; we believe the meat is supplied by Mr. Stokell, and the flour by Mr. Tolmey, who has erected a steam engine for his corn mill. In order, also, to stimulate and encourage the men in their useful and important work, Mr. Tolmey has made an allowance of ½ lb. of flour per day to the rations of each man, a proceeding which has givn ample proof of the effect of such liberality and kindnessby the additional labour produced. A church and school are much wanted in this settlement. The agricultural improvements throughout this valley are truly astonishing, both in extent and quality. The old habit of first cutting the trees, and afterwards stumping the ground at convenience, has exploded. The plan now is first to dig a trench round the tree, cut all the fibres, and the westerly wind will do the rest. We believe Mr. Stokell has the merit of introducing this judicious plan, and the result has operated like magic on all his neighbours."
The absence of a post office at Jerusalem was criticised by the Colonial Times in April 1842. The military station and township where the new road to Swan Port was to commence had to wait for as long as three weeks before mail was forwarded on from Richmond.1
In 1861, the local police were as follows; Sub-Inspector R. Plummer and one constable.
The population of Jerusalem in 1891 was 189; 98 males and 91 females living in 32 residences. The principal pursuits engaged by the residents was described as "agricultural and pastoral farming and coal mining".
Sale of Crown Land at "Colebrook Dale Township" took place in 1841. Several lots were advertised to be sold by auction on 15th May 1841.2 The land advertised comprised:
Section B No.4 1r. 6p. upset price £8
" No.4 (?) 1r. 6p. upset price £10
No. 8 1r. 6p. upset price £5
Section C No. 11 1r. 7p. upset price £6
No. 12 1r. 6p. upset price £6
No. 15 1r. 6p. upset price £5
Stock sales were not held by Roberts at Jerusalem until November 1877. In September 1877, Roberts advertised that "at the request of their constituents, the undersigned will hold periodical sales at Jerusalem, the first to take place early in November." According to the advertisement, in September they already had 6,000 sheep, 100 cattle, 20 horses and a large quantity of lambs and pigs for the November sale.
The Tasmanian Mail of 14th November 1903 had the following to say about Colebrook:
"Twelve miles north of Campania is Colebrook, a quiet though prosperous district. For many years farming claimed most attention but now orchards are beginning to get a firm hold; nearly all the farms have areas of different sizes planted with apple trees."
"About a mile north from the station there are two coal mines that are now being developed. The quality of the material is very good. Most of the dwellings and business places are built on either side of the main road. An acceptable improvement in the form of a shop and dwelling is now being erected on the site where the Lion Hotel stood. Now there is only one hotel, the licensee being Mr. A. Hughes."
"The principal business establishments are the general stores of Messrs. A. Nichols, W. Clark and P. J. Nichols. There is no connection whatever between Messrs. A. and P. J. Nichols, the store of the latter being a branch of the Richmond business. The leading public building is the town hall, erected about two years ago at a cost of £240. The Church of England and Roman Catholic Churches, both substantial stone buildings, are the places of public worship. The Rev. Mr. Thorpe of Richmond has charge of the former and the Rev. I. Fehan of Oatlands is the priest attached to the latter. There is also a convent school in charge of sisters of the Order of St. Joseph. The Post Office is established at the railway station."
"The leading land-holders are Mr. J. Tabart (Stockdale, 1,000 acres), Mr. R. P. Stanfield (Linwood, 3,500 acres), Mr. A. Nichols (1,200 acres), J. McShane, C. Schrader and A. J. Fox."
D.J. O'Keefe addressed a public meeting held in the Colebrook Hall on 24th April 1909. The meeting was for "Colebrook Laborites", and was advertised with "Come and hear the Gospel of Labor and the policy of the Australian Workers Union."3
At a public meeting held on 12th May 1878 at Beven's Hotel, Jerusalem, the formation of a Volunteer Rifle Corps was discussed. Mr. Walter Rumney was voted as chair, and Mr. Ramsay read a telegram he had received from the Colonial Secretary. It stated: "In reply to your letter of the 8th inst., Government are not disposed at present to recommend to Parliament any assistance to Rifle Corps in country districts, and there are no arms available." The Tasmanian Mail of 18th May 1878 says that "Much disappointment was expressed at the Government throwing cold water on the movement." After considerable discussion, it was unanimously resolved at the meeting to form a Volunteer Rifle Corps in Jerusalem. Fifty-one had already given their names prior to the meeting, and it was expected that 100 would join.
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1 Colonial Times, 12 April 1842, p.3, c.6.
2 Colonial Times, 11 May 1841, p.2, c.2.
3 The Clipper, Saturday April 24 1908, p.5, col.4.
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