Epping

Aboriginal people from the Wallumedegal group, whose lands stretch along the Parramatta and Lane Cove rivers, were living in the region of Epping when the Europeans arrived. The first European settler in the district was freed convict David Kilpack who received grants of land in 1794 and 1795 totalling 80 acres (32.3 hectares). He died two years later and his widow Eleanor married Thomas Higgins. His son was one of the first settlers in the Hornsby district.

The western side of Epping spreads over two major land grants – Lieutenant William Kent had 170 acres (69.8 hectares) granted by Governor Hunter and his nephew William George Carlile Kent was granted 460 acres (186.1 hectares) in 1803. The western boundary of the Field of Mars bordered their land.

Many settlers struggled to clear the land and make a living from their farms so the government proclaimed town commons where they could graze their animals, leaving their own land available for food crops. One such common was the Field of Mars which covered between 5,050 and 6,253 acres (2,044 to 2,530 hectares). A convict timber camp was established in 1817 and because the trees were soon removed, the general area was known as Barren Ridges by 1825.

Epping had an important role in the early years of the colony, particularly during the time of Governor Macquarie when timber from the area mainly blue gum, blackbutt and some cedar, was in high demand. After the sawmilling finished the Epping area consisted mostly of orchards and bushland, with most people making a living from vegetable and fruit growing.

In the 1820s, the Mobbs family established citrus orchards in the Epping area, and other growers soon followed. Produce was carted to Ermington wharf on the Parramatta River and sent by boat to the Sydney markets.

Epping Railway Station was opened on 17 September 1886. First called the Field of Mars station, then renamed Carlingford the following year, this choice of name caused confusion as the post office was called East Carlingford. William Midson (1849-1924) suggested the name Epping after the town near Epping Forest, Essex where his father was born. It was accepted and officially adopted in 1899.
The coming of the railway resulted in an increase in land prices. The first subdivisions of land were made the same year as the railway lined opened, with a section of the Field of Mars subdivided into large blocks and sold by the government. This was the beginning of the development of the suburb of Epping.

The commons land was resumed by the government in 1874 and opened up for sale in 1889. By the turn of the twentieth century, there were twelve houses in the area bounded by Rawson to Midson Roads and Chesterfield Road to Devlins Creek, covering an area of about 450 acres (182.1 hectares). The first general store was built by Joseph Walker in 1892. After World War II, there was an increased demand for residential lots resulting in the subdivision and sale of small farms and orchards.

Compiled from the following sources:
Book of Sydney Suburbs. Pollon,Frances, LS994.41 BOO
http://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/epping
http://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/library/resources-and-research/local-history/researching-the-history-of-epping
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epping,_New_South_Wales