Historical information

Armstrong, Thomas, J.P. Yarra Flats, was born in Roxburghshire, Scotland, in 1818, and in 1838, being then twenty years of age, emigrated to Australia, and engaged in taking contracts. In 1841, in conjunction with Mr. Wm. Bell he took out a squatting license and settled in what is now known as the township of Eltham. Mr Armstrong purchased land on Kangaroo Ground, where he lived, until 1854, and then bought from Mr. John Dickson, a station on Yarra Flats, containing about 100,000, which at the expiration of two years was sold by public auction. Messrs Armstrong and Bell then bought 14,000 acres where Mr Armstrong, now resides. He has been a member of the local council for twenty-eight years, and holds Her Majesty’s commission of the peace. His wife, Miss Diana Bell (daughter of his partner, Mr. Wm. Bell), whom he married in 1841, died fifteen years ago.

from "Victoria and its Metropolis: Past and Present" written in 1888 by Alexander Sutherland.
Chapter 19, "The Upper Yarra District" pages [402] - 415. Includes descriptions of some townships and short biographies of local residents. Page 405

Physical description

Folder of information on Thomas Armstrong, JP, Kangaroo Ground