Booker Bay

The original grant of 60 acres now known as Booker Bay was made in 1821 to John Patfield.

However, he did not take up his grant and sold it in 1826 to Ann Murphy, a widow, for 12/15 pounds.

William Booker, a native of Surrey, England, was transported to NSW in 1818 and was employed in in the Government yards as a sawyer and wheelwright.

He obtained his freedom and in 1828 married Ms Murphy.

The census of that year showed that they employed four free men, had cleared six acres, cultivated three of them and owned nine cattle.

William Booker died on August 31, 1850, and was buried on his own farm.

His second wife, Elizabeth, who died on January 20, 1868, was also interred there.

This plot of land, in present day Bogan Rd, became known as Booker Bay Cemetery, although it was not dedicated as such.

Historical monograph, 1970

Eileen Pratt, Place Names of the Central Coast