What scandalous secret lies beneath the streets of Kearns? This suburb of Sydney, 57 kilometres south-west of the central business district, holds a past more colourful than its peaceful present suggests. Today, we explore the story of Kearns. It is named after William Kearns, a local farmer of the 1800s.
Kearns’s history is not just about fertile lands. It starts with a scandalous court case in 1824. William Kearns was sued for seducing a 14-year-old girl. The girl was the daughter of Joseph Ward. Ward was the caretaker of the nearby St Andrews estate. The court case gained notoriety due to Ward’s own scandalous behaviour. He had returned from England with a new wife. He disowned his Australian wife and tried to sell his English-born daughter to a ship captain. Kearns was found guilty but had to pay only a small amount in damages.
Despite the scandal, William Kearns and his wife, Elizabeth, became successful farmers. They also became prominent citizens of the area. Kearns’s property was originally owned by his brothers. They had been granted 100 acres each. The land was first named River Hill. By 1828, Kearns renamed it Epping Forest. He expanded the property to 360 acres. He established a thriving dairy farm and orchard.
After William Kearns died in 1880, the property remained in the family until 1978. In 1975, Campbelltown Council planned a major development. They chose the name Kearns for the suburb. This was done to avoid confusion with Epping. Streets were named after famous rivers. Residents began moving in 1985. A primary school was established in 1992.
Interestingly, William Francis King, the “flying pieman,” was once the Kearns children’s private tutor. He was a well-known Sydney street character. He was known for his colourful attire. He also made bets on bizarre walking feats. One such feat involved walking from the Kearns residence to Sydney. He even carried a large dog.
Today, Kearns is home to young families. They are on better than average incomes. According to the 2021 census, the suburb has a population of 2,693. The average age is 36. The median family income is $2,312 per week. Most people were born in Australia. They speak English at home.
The streets of Kearns reflect its history. You will find Mississippi Crescent and Danube Crescent. You will also find Yangtze Place. These names remind us of the council’s decision to name streets after international rivers.
So, as you wander through Kearns. Remember the farmer. Remember the scandal. Remember the flying pieman. Kearns is more than just a suburb. It is a place with a past as rich as its soil.