The Meaning of Tocumwal

An article published in 1908 stated that the generally accepted meaning of Tocumwal (originally Tucumival) was after an Aboriginal word meaning "deep hole" or "pit" and that it was the abode of a native spirit which was accustomed to flit from the river underground by a subterranean passage and bob up at the Blow Hole in the granite formation at the Rocks.

The "Blow Hole" in Tocumwal is the small outcrop of rocks which is near "The Rocks" area, north east of Tocumwal and has been closely associated with the folklore of the area.

It had been noticed in 1976 that, when in drought times the "Blowhole" was mysteriously full of water, in fact it was bubbling out, and this action cannot be explained, though the Aborigines believed it to be connected by an underground stream to a deep hole near the Tocumwal township.

Aboriginal legend tells of a giant cod fish associated with the deep hole in the river and another interesting report stated that the Blow Hole was supposed to be connected to the river, but an early settler (name not stated) had chased a native accused of spearing stock in that area. The native dived into the water and when he did not reappear, the settler rolled rocks in to the hole, thus blocking the channel. The actual depth is 15ft with a deeper narrower hole which, rumour says drops to 80 feet. The hollowness sound on the south side could be a cavern.

Miscellaneous Items in the History of Tocumwal

While the following contains a number of historical items it is not intended to be complete, but merely a summary of information that has been researched and been given which is not included elsewhere in this website and shows the flow over the years of the town's history, events and points of interest and significance.

Early History

In the very early days a large English syndicate owned all the land in this district from somewhere near Deniliquin to Mulwala.  As Patrick Hennessy settled on the Murray in 1840 and purchased a large area from Messrs. Huron and Lester in 1843 we think the English syndicate must have been broken up into smaller holdings before that date.

This was the first purchase by Patrick Hennessy and was probably east of Tocumwal, because at the time Murray Run Station (described later as containing 185 square miles and bounded on the west by the junction of the Tuppal Creek and Murray River) was controlled by the Royal Bank of Australia who sold it to James Moodie during the 1840's, (probably 6/11/1845 when the property was auctioned).

Moodie sold it to Patrick Hennessy at the later date, we think about 1848, as Patrick Hennessy owned the Murray Run before he purchased Berrigagama (which adjoined Murray Run on the latter's western boundary in 1849).

This latter purchase was divided between Mr. Hennessy's sons, Edward, William and Robert. The latter two were still living in the district in 1896 and Mr. Whitehead was a grandson of Patrick Hennessy.

Official records received by courtesy of the Lands Department, Sydney, state that Mr Boyd had a run in the area in 1848 and from a later communication (see 1852) it would appear that Mr. Boyd had taken over a section on the western boundary of Murray Run Station.

In the early 1850's a regular crossing place had been established somewhere in the vicinity of the town and it is thought the first buildings were built in or near the present town site about 1857 or 1858 but unfortunately only very sparse details are available.

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