Is it possible that these seven hills observed by Matthew Pearce were actually the surrounding areas? These hilly regions today include names like Castle Hill and Rooty Hill. Welcome to Seven Hills a suburb steeped in history and mystery.
Seven Hills is located 33 kilometres north west of Sydney’s central business district. It falls within the local government areas of Parramatta and Blacktown City councils.
Let’s delve into the origins of its intriguing name. The name Seven Hills is believed to be linked to Matthew Pearce. He was a settler granted 160 acres of land in 1795. Pearce named his allotment Kings Langley Farm. From there he could see seven nearby hills. These seven hills may have been the surrounding hilly areas. They now have hill in their names. Think of Castle Hill Baulkham Hills and Rooty Hill. Though the name origin remains undocumented it was frequently used by 1803. A notice in the Sydney Gazette mentioned flour distribution to residents at Castle Hill and Seven Hills.
Before European settlement in the 1790s the Seven Hills area was home to indigenous peoples. They likely identified with the Warmuli and Toogagal clans of the Darug nation. Europeans first visited Seven Hills very early in the settlement of New South Wales. Arthur Phillip may have visited as early as April 1788. Watkin Tench certainly visited in June 1789.
The colonial administration first granted land in the District of Toongabbee to John Redmond in May 1793. His 60-acre grant was next to a track that later became Station Road. At least 13 more grants were made before 1800. Matthew Pearce received 160 acres in 1795. He named it after Kings Langley in Hertfordshire England where he was supposedly born. George Best and John Pye Snr also received land grants in Seven Hills in 1796.
Around 1800 the area of the Pearce grant became known as Seven Hills. It was near the seventh hill along the road from Parramatta. In 1804 part of the Cumberland Plain was reserved for Prospect Common. Around 1819 two 50-acre land grants were made to Samuel Haynes and Samuel Dent.
Seven Hills once covered a much larger area. As late as 1900 landowners in Bella Vista Glenwood and Parklea considered their properties to be in Seven Hills. Housing schemes from 1959 to the 1970s created the suburbs of Lalor Park and Kings Langley from land previously part of Seven Hills.
The railway from Parramatta to Blacktown was completed in 1860. A stationmaster’s residence and siding were built near a level crossing in December 1863. This later became Seven Hills Road. A platform was built in 1869. Train stops were scheduled from September of that year. The road bridge on Seven Hills Road replaced the level crossing in 1975.
Today Seven Hills boasts a rich tapestry of history. From its indigenous roots to its colonial past and agricultural heritage it has transformed into a vibrant residential and commercial hub. Seven Hills Railway Station is a major interchange. It has the most commuter parking in Western Sydney. The M2 Hills Motorway M4 Motorway and Westlink M7 provide excellent road connections.
As you explore Seven Hills remember the stories etched into its landscape. The legacy of Matthew Pearce the resilience of early settlers and the contributions of its diverse community. Seven Hills stands as a testament to the ever-evolving story of Sydney.