Creaton - Site

Statement of Significance

John York and family arrived in WA on the "Simon Taylor" in 1842. They were probably the first family to settle permanently in the Gingin District, certainly there by March 1845. Swan Location 115 of 30 acres was granted to J. York in 1849. As well as being a farmer and a builder. J. York was Gingin's first Postmaster and Registrar and mail was collected and dispatched from Creaton. They had eight children and their son, John York Jnr, was the first white child registered at Gingin.

Physical Description

This is the site of the original 'Creaton' Homestead on the north bank of the Nullilla brook. All that remains of the house and sheds are low mounds of earth from the mud bricks except for stone foundations of the kitchen and dairy which had a cellar underneath and the ironstone coach house and some large trees.

History

A mud bat home was built by John York who was a builder. It was in existence by 1850. The home was a colonial style with three rooms in a row with a verandah on the western side A detached kitchen and dairy was built on the north side with a cellar underneath. All that remains of the house and nearby stables are low mounds of clay.
The coach house is the only standing relic, built of ironstone with an iron roof. Several large Cape Lilac trees have survived and also two Mulberry trees. Family tradition says that a child is buried beneath the Cape Lilacs. John York was appointed Gingin Postmaster in 1854 (volunteer) and mail was collected and dispatched from Creaton until 1864. His son-in-law, John Dewar, purchased Creaton in 1882.
Circa 1912 it was inherited by his son Aubrey Newton Dewar (Tom) and passed onto his son Keith who built the present day home in 1934. The present owner Dr Tom Berrigan has fenced in the remains of the old Creaton house so they will be protected.

Condition

Site Only

Uses

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.