A sketch by early Drouin South settler Franklin Jackson of his property "Ferntree" on Weebar Rd, dated 1876.
Franklin Jackson arrived at Drouin South in 1874, leaving a selection at Nar Nar Goon.
An extract from "Buln Buln" by Graeme Butler tells of Franklin's property.
"A sketch still survives of their little home as it stood then, nestled into the tall messmates - though it was no bush hut," it says. "By 1876, they had a five-roomed log-hut with a paling roof. Added to this was their first dwelling, now a kitchen, which was a bark and shingle affair measuring 20 feet by 17 feet plus a substantial dairy of logs and a slab-constructed cowshed barn. The cowshed alone, covered an area measuring 60 feet by 18 feet."
After arriving in 1874, Franklin had cleared and cultivated his 25 acres within a few years. He had fodder crops such as oats, two large plots of potatoes, beans and carrots, and was suppling produce to the nearby railway camps.
Landing in Australia from England in 1853, Franklin married Dinah Brough in Adelaide in 1861. Their first two children were born in South Australia. By 1866, they were living at Nar Nar Goon where their next four children were born. The last six were born in Drouin.
Franklin was very involved in the community, being active in the Methodist church and was involved in the building of the first church. He was a member of the Mechanics' Institute Committee and believed the Mechanics' Hall was an integral part of the community. He was also a member of The Australian Natives' Association.
Franklin had a piece printed in The Gippsland Independent on March 25, 1879.
It said: "We have come into this wild forest from all parts of the Colony, are strangers to each other, so these gatherings will break the ice and while the old folks talk of their crops and cattle, the lads and lassies, laying aside their axes and milk pails, will be able to enjoy that social intercourse and enjoyment so necessary for the health of both body and mind".
The Jacksons sold their farm in 1892 and moved to Diamond Creek, where he named that property "Drouindale".
Sadly, their daughter Edith had died of Diphtheria in 1878 aged 13, and was buried on a hill on the property.
In 1908, Franklin visited Tasmania where he had bought land next to were two of his sons had properties. The properties were very hilly with steep gullies with dense scrub and undergrowth.
On May 18, 1908, he went out to inspect his land and said he would be back for dinner. He never arrived back.
Despite a search being undertaken, he was never found. Franklin was 73-years-old.
Photograph and information courtesy of the Drouin History Group.
Group volunteers collect, document, research, preserve and exhibit items that reflect life in Drouin and surrounding districts. They meet at the Drouin Library on the third Thursday of the month at 7.30pm.