“Caramut House,” the Residence of H.F. de Little, Esq.

Scarce c.19th hand coloured engraving of “Caramut House,” Caramut.

The land around the residence of Caramut was first taken up about 1838 by Mr. Muston, who settled near the present site of “Cararnut House”; the creek which runs through the garden is called Muston’s Creek after him. The land changed hands several times until about 1850, when De Little Brothers bought the estate, which was then somewhat larger than at present, though not in the same compact state.

The Duffy Land Act of 1862 led to the cutting up of the run, and the Messrs. De Little purchased as much of it as they could. In 1864 Mr. Henry De Little bought out his brothers, managed the estate himself, and made it his residence. He died in 1870, leaving it in the hands of trustees. Under the able supervision of the present manager the estate was brought into its present compact state by exchange with surrounding estates and defining the boundaries. The estate consists of about 19,000 acres, well fenced in, and kept in perfect order. It is the kind of country which grows the fine silky quality of wool that always commands a high price in the market. The Caramut wool is now one of the best known clips, and in 1886 brought the second highest price for washed wool in the London market. When the brothers De Little first came to Caramut they found a small stone building erected by the last owner; the present “Caramut House,” a commodious bluestone structure, built by Mr. Henry De Little about 1865, and twice added to since.

References:
Ferguson, J. A. Bibliography of Australia Volumes 1-8, Canberra 1976 16439.

Collections:
National Library Australia: Bib ID 4084242
State Library Victoria: CCF 994.5 V66S
State Library New South Wales: 74Vv5vQ4lxmZ