James Maiden – Founder of Moama

James Maiden came to Moama nearly 10 years before Henry Hopwood’s arrival in Echuca. He was a successful cattle dealer and became a millionaire who was known for his genial nature and hospitality. Maiden came from Lancashire on a sentence of death for the burglary of silverware and candles, commuted to 7 years transportation by William the Forth. He sailed from London on October 1st 1834, arriving in Sydney on the 30th January 1835. In 1839 he was granted a Ticket of Leave and married Jane Davies the following year. They had seven children, six surviving into adulthood.

Maiden arrived in the area from Seymour, and after a short time on a station on the Edward River, he became superintendent for John Clarke of the Long Swamp Run, later known as Perricoota Run. James Maiden wanted to increase settlement in the area and encourage cattle trading, and so recognised the need for some method of crossing the river. His first punt was built at Seymour and floated down the Goulburn and Murray Rivers to Perricoota station.

In 1843 wool was beginning to be taken to Sydney for sale by bullock wagon, from the Moama area. But by 1844 wool bales were going across the river by punt, wagon to Melbourne, then to Sydney by sea.

In 1845 a bigger punt was established one mile east of present day central Moama. Known as “Maiden’s Punt” this bigger punt could fit a whole team of 6-8 bullocks and their dray. Maiden then set up an inn, the “Junction Inn” on high ground near the punt and it was licensed in 1846. Large stables were established here also. However Maiden’s main occupation was still cattle dealing. Meat was still needed at the Bendigo Goldfields. (Maiden’s Gully in Bendigo MAY have been the site of his slaughter yards.) In 1851 the site of Moama was officially approved.

1855 saw Maiden buy the Perricoota Run. He also owned properties at Heathcote and Torrumbarry and by this time was a millionaire. However he soon fell on hard times, as Cattle prices started to fall. In 1856 Maiden sold all he owned in Moama to try and remain solvent. In 1861 he sold Perricoota and Tatalia Runs. By 1867 he was down to doing odd jobs for other people.