Tyson, James, 1958-

James Tyson was born 8 April 1819 near Narellan, New South Wales. He was the third son of William Tyson and Isabella nee Coulson. Tyson was a pastoralist whose stations included Tupra, Juanbung, Bangate, Goondublui and Mooroonawa in New South Wales, Heyfield in Victoria, and Glenormiston, Swanvale, Meteor Downs and Albinia Downs, Babbiloora, Carnarvon, Tully, Wyobie, Felton, Mount Russell and Tinnenburra in Queensland. Tyson died on 4 December 1898 at Felton, near Cambooya. His estate was worth 2 million pounds. Tyson was Queensland's first millionaire. [Australian Dictionary of Biography, Vol 6, 1851-1890]

From the description of OM81-16 James Tyson Letter, 1878. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 755753075

James Tyson was born in 1834 to a convict mother and free settler father. His father died when he was young, and his mother remarried. Tyson left home early, and picked up work as he travelled, including droving work. He worked in company with one of his brothers, and his big break came supplying the Bendigo Gold Rush. After acquiring land in the Bendigo area, Tyson continued to expand north, eventually owning runs in New South Wales and moving into Queensland in the 1870s. He eventually owned runs stretching from the Darling Downs to the Gulf of Carpentria, including 'Tinnenburra', a property of over 2 million acres near Cunnamulla which was at the time the biggest pastoral run in Australia.

With his move into Queensland properties, he moved his headquarters to the run 'Felton' on the Darling Downs, where he remained based for the rest of his life. At his highpoint, Tyson had 9.5 million acres of runs. On his death in 1898 Tyson was worth around 2.3 million pounds. A bachelor, he had over 60 nieces and nephews, and numerous relatives were employed on his properties. The family amicably divided up his property amongst them, as he left no will. James Tyson was a member of the Legislative Council from 1893-1898.

From the description of OM69-11 James Tyson Papers, ca. 1834-1965. (Libraries Australia). WorldCat record id: 755781220