The Royal Oak, Toodyay (1853–1860)

The Royal Oak established in 1853 by John Herbert was the second inn of that name in West Toodyay. It was also known as Herbert's Hotel. It stood on lot R11, upstream from where the first Royal Oak (owned by Herbert's brother, William) had been until it closed in November 1851.

Charlotte Herbert and her daughter Esther, circa 1856

Not to be confused with The Royal Oak, Toodyay (1849–1851).
This article is about a place in West Toodyay (originally known as Toodyay), which should not be confused with the current Toodyay (previously known as Newcastle).

Herbert had arrived in the colony in 1839 and married Charlotte Davis in 1845.[1]:1452 Davis is credited as being the first female to have landed on the shores of the new colony.[2][3][4] Herbert was granted lot R1 in 1849 and Avon Location 69 in 1850, both of which he sold to the government in 1851 for a handsome profit. After the sale of his property to the government, and the sale of the original Royal Oak, he built and moved into a cottage on lot R26. However, he was a man of ambition and before the year was out he began building an inn of his own.

The Royal Oak was comparatively large in size. It was very likely built of brick as, by that time, bricks were becoming available in the Toodyay Valley. The roof would have been either thatched or shingled. Stables, yards and other such structures were erected. Accommodation and good food was offered together with items such as wine, corn, porter, groceries and clothing.[5] Various goods were auctioned at the inn. Herbert later acquired lot R10.[6]:119–120, 126

Public meetings began to be held at the Royal Oak. Of significance was that held on 15 November 1853 for the purpose of forming an Agricultural and Horticultural Society. Full attendance of farmers and stockowners of the district was requested. A splendid dinner was served. The Toodyay, Northam and Victoria Plains Agricultural Society was formed, over fifty members having enrolled.[7][6]:120–121

In 1854, a fair was held in conjunction with the annual meeting. Prizes were awarded for quality farm animals. Horses, cattle and sheep were offered for sale. A sumptuous meal followed the meeting. On 30 October 1856, the first Agricultural Ball was held[8] and Charlotte Herbert served one of the best dinners ever eaten on such an occasion. Indeed, much of the success of the Royal Oak can be attributed to the skill and business management of Charlotte Herbert. She was aided by their son, John Thomas.[1]:1453 Her daughters, Esther, Martha and Charlotte were sent to Perth for their education.[6]:120–123

During the ensuing years, the Agricultural Society played a significant role in the affairs of the Toodyay Valley. It exercised a voice on such issues as roads, land sales, the convict system, the Emigrant's Depot, bush fire control, native dogs and so on. The annual meetings were always held at the same time of the year. The events accompanying them became increasingly spectacular, and people of note regularly attended. The meetings were chaired by Joseph Strelley Harris, Toodyay's resident magistrate. The Royal Oak was now fondly referred to as Herbert's Hotel.

All went well until 1860. John Herbert renewed his publican's license in February. However, by June 1860 it became known that he had become mentally deranged due to his heavy drinking.[6]:154 It was also revealed that Charlotte Herbert had failed to notify the District Magistrate of her husband's removal to the Fremantle Lunatic Asylum. It was she who had been running the business held in her husband's name, both prior to and after her husband's removal. As this was illegal, the license was quickly withdrawn and the Royal Oak was forced to close.[6]:155

John Herbert was released from the asylum in 1862, after which Charlotte Herbert received an account for thirteen pounds. She claimed hardship and the matter was dropped. The family continued to live at the Royal Oak for many years to come.

Charlotte Herbert died on 1 April 1885. John Herbert remarried on 16 January 1888 in Toodyay to Emily Diana Huggins, a school teacher. He died in Northam on 1 January 1896, aged 75 years.[1]:1452

The building was used as a private residence for many years, but by the 1930s all that was left of it was the dining room.[9]

References

 This article incorporates text by Alison Cromb available under the CC BY SA 2.5 AU licence.

  1. Rica Erickson (1988). The Bicentennial Dictionary of Western Australians: pre-1829 – 1888. 2 D–J. University of Western Australia Press. ISBN 0 85564 273 4. Retrieved 5 May 2018.
  2. Caption on portrait of Davis family, Toodyay Old Gaol Museum, archived from the original on 12 March 2014, retrieved 10 June 2017
  3. "Charlotte Davis". Monument Australia. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  4. Plaque on the Charlotte Davis Memorial, Newcastle Park, Toodyay Western Australia, 2014-05-05
  5. "Royal Oak Hotel, Toodyay". The Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics and News. 24 June 1853. p. 2. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  6. Alison Cromb (2016). The Road to Toodyay: A History of the Early Settlement of Toodyay and the Avon Valley of Western Australia. Dianella, Western Australia: Alison Cromb. ISBN 9780646951744.
  7. "Public meeting at Toodyay". The Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics and News. 2 December 1853. p. 2. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
  8. "Ball". The Perth Gazette and Independent Journal of Politics and News. 17 October 1856. p. 5. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
  9. "Reminders of Old Toodyay". The West Australian. 7 October 1933. p. 20. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
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