The Hazelton's of Albion Park

Edward Hazelton was tried at Bury St Edmunds Assizes, Suffolk, for stealing a sheep belonging to Ambrose Stewart, and was sentenced to death. The sentence was later revoked to life in the penal colony NSW.

Edward spent two years on a prison hulk before being transported on the Marquis of Hastings, arriving in Australia 3rd January 1826. He was described as 33 years old, complexion brown, eyes dark grey, hair brown. On his arrival he was assigned to Mr. Icely at Bathurst, where he worked as a groom. Seven years later Edward was granted his Ticket of Leave and moved to the Illawarra where he worked for Captain Weston at ‘Macquarie Gift’ (Albion Park).

In 1836 Edward married Hannah Herring (his wife in  England, Jane, had remarried) and they had 11 children. In 1856 they moved to Stockyard Mountain, Yellow Rock, where Edward had purchased land, and they lived in their small house ‘Coobee’ for 11 years. Edward died in 1868 and was buried at the Old Sand Cemetery at Shellharbour.

Edward and Hannah’s son, Edward Hazelton, married Anne Green in 1865 and farmed at Tongarra for many years. He was on the committee for the construction of Stockyard Mountain School, which opened in 1880.

During the great fire of 1909, Edward and Anne’s farm was entirely burnt out. Edward 2^nd died in 1919.

Edward Hazelton 3^rd married Anne Murphy in 1906 and spent his lifetime in the district employed for many years as a Health Inspector for Shellharbour Council and later operated a  successful business as a storekeeper at Albion Park. His chief interest was in the School of Arts at Albion Park for which he did much work. He was a member of the Independent Order of Oddfellows at Shellharbour.

Edward 3^rd was said to have been ever glad to do a good turn and took an intelligent and helpful interest in public life and the community. He died in 1931 and was buried in the All Saints Church of England Cemetery at Albion Park

Some of Shellharbour’s most well known families are descendants of Edward Hazelton, including Raison, Jordan, Green, Clarke, Foster, Sawtell, Haddin, Prior, Gower and Grey.

 

Hazelton's Store in Flinders Street (Tongarra Road), Albion Park c.1916
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