From the 1880s onwards, mining was undertaken in the district and was particularly successful in the Wilmot area where gold and silver-lead were discovered. The early prospectors, using trails already established by long aboriginal use, helped open up the hinterland not only of Kentish but all the way across the north west of Tasmania.
Smitten with gold fever after news broke out about a 17 ounce gold nugget which was found at Bell Mountain, reported on January 12th, 1884.
People from all walks of life headed to the Kentish district. Among them was Mr CF Henry, Sheffield’s first solicitor. |