The history of Denman
Before Europeans began to settle in the Upper Hunter aboriginals roamed freely across the river flats and through the lightly timbered hill country. Living in harmony with the land, only taking what they required from the bounty of game available. These people were generally known as the Wonarua tribe. Their territory included Singleton, Muswellbrook, Denman, Jerrys Plains and Sandy hollow on the Goulburn River. Most of the Wonarua tribe had apparently died out by the 1860's.
The first European settlement in the Denman district was Merton, located east of the present Denman township on the opposite side of the river.
Merton was the name given by William Ogilvie to his original grant of 2,000 acres received in 1825 on his arrival in New South Wales from England. Merton was named after the family home in Surrey, England.
Due to its isolation, Merton grew to be self-sufficient and with William Ogilvie becoming a Magistrate in 1825, became the centre of justice of the district.
In 1826 Merton was besieged by about 200 aboriginals demanding the release of two of their comrades who apparently had been wrongly arrested on a charge of murdering a European settler. Because aboriginals were all treated well at Merton and a mutual respect existed between the Ogilvie's and aboriginals the would be attackers were able to be calmed and dispersed without a fight.
The headquarters for Police moved to Muswellbrook in 1837. In 1841Merton still had a Police force of eight and a population of 137.
On 21st October 1853 Merton Village Reserve was gazetted. the name was changed to Denman in honour of Lord Denman.
By 1861 most inhabitants had moved to the present site of Denman.
Little remains of Merton, and Denman township grew as a service centre for a thriving dairy industry and later hay production.
On 8th November 1928 much of Ogilvie Street in Denman township was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt and today resembles much the same as before the fire.
During the past ten years the dairy and hay industries have taken a back seat to adjacent coal mining and prospering of vineyards.
A concrete sleeper plant, which provided sleepers to the State Rail Authority operated in Denman in the 1980's.
The town is an excellent pivot for trips to local vineyards and to take in the magnificent scenery of the Hunter, Goulburn and Widden Valleys.
Friendliness of the local people is well known. Pride in this rural community is reflected in the first class amenities, strength of volunteer systems, and attendances at community functions.
The above article was reproduced from a tourist brochure produced by Denman and District Development Association Inc.(approximately mid 1980's). 
This page last updated 18 November, 2009 11:03 AM
