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William
Davis first came from Northern Ireland as a non Catholic chaplain
on an immigrant ship in the 1820s, but returned to settle in NSW
in 1833.
Rev. Davis, whose name is commemorated by Davistown, first settled
in Wollongong, but decided to apply for land at Brisbane Water because
there were opportunities for himself and his sons.
He
settled in Kincumber in 1839 and taught in the school he opened.
This was the first school to be set up in Brisbane Water District.
At
Wollongong his sons had been apprentice ship builders and he envisaged
fuller work for them at Kincumber. All 12 of them were to become
widely known for their ship building.
One,
Ben, is remembered through the small village of Bensville which
was originally called Sunnyside. Ben Davis purchased 20Ha of land
on Cockle Creek shores to set up his yard.
Davistown
water frontage meant Davistown had an integral place in the history
and development of the Central Coast.
"Davo" as it is known to the locals has remained a well
kept secret up until the last few years. The peaceful water-oriented
atmosphere that has seen many retirees choose the area in the past,
is now recognised by a cross-section people and this has seen a
substantial increase in property values.
http://www.cityofgosford.com
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