James Alexander Cowan - The North Harbour Hermit

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AuthorJohn MorcombeDateJuly 2025DescriptionJames Cowan was a man of mystery. Between 1858 and 1864 several advertisements were placed in the Sydney Morning Herald , looking for this man as he had inherited quite a large sum of money. Cowan finally came forward to prove that he was still alive and on August 16, 1867, Cowan used part of this money to pay John Whaley £75 for the 9.2.24 acres at Forty Baskets Beach. He built a cottage on his land but later lived in a cave. He died in 1896 and is burried in Manly Cemetery.SubjectsManly (N.S.W.)Forty Baskets Beach (N.S.W.)KeywordsHermitCopyrightThis item may be used freely for research and study purposes, for all other uses contact Northern Beaches Council Library Local Studies. Please acknowledge that the item is courtesy of John Morcombe.

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James Alexander Cowan - The North Harbour Hermit