MRS SCOTT'S CATTLE STATION, JELLS PARK, WHEELERS HILL

This site has the potential to contain archaeological remains associated with a setter’s hut dated to 1839 on the western bank of Dandenong Creek.

The site has archaeological significance as it is potentially associated with Joseph Jells, a prominent early landowner after whom Jells Park is named, but also the previous owners Thomas Napier and Mrs Madeleine Scott. Archaeological remains associated with the early to mid-nineteenth century in the eastern part of Melbourne are rare if they have survived subsequent land use activity.

This site is representative of the early settlers of Melbourne prior to land survey and subsequent subdivision of the larger leases. While it has a strong association to Joseph Jells, after whom the park is named it is also connected to the builder Thomas Napier as well as Mrs Madeleine Scott who farmed the property after the death of her husband and demonstrates the role that women and families had in shaping rural industry. Mrs Scott did not remain long on the property but archaeological remains associated with any of the owners would be significant in demonstrating how they sought to establish homes and farmed the land. Homesteads dating to the late 1830s and 1840s are relatively rare due to the sparsity of European settlers at this time in Victoria and subsequent preservation of these sites.