Entally House, on the Entally Estate, was built in 1819. Named after a suburb in Kolkata, this building is home to a rather interesting ghost.
A turbaned Indian man has appeared on the staircase, and on at least one occasion, sent a witness to New Norfolk Asylum.
A turbaned Indian man has appeared on the staircase, and on at least one occasion, sent a witness to New Norfolk Asylum.
Mary Reibey
Thomas and Mary Reibey. Entally Estate located in Hapsden, 15kms South West of Launceston, Tasmania, is described as a lovely old house. It was built in 1819 by Thomas Haydock Reibey, who was the eldest son of Mary and Thomas Reibey.
Mary Reibey, baptised Molly Haydock, was thirteen years of age when she was arrested for horse stealing in 1791, in Lancashire, England. She was dressed as a man and used the name James Burrow.
After being found guilty of her crime, she was sentenced to seven years transportation, and arrived in Sydney in October, 1792. At the age of seventeen she married Thomas Reibey, who was a junior officer on the ship 'Britannia'. Thomas began a cargo business, and after several years, began to acquire farms along the Hawkesbury River, and started trading in many different resources.
Mary Reibey, baptised Molly Haydock, was thirteen years of age when she was arrested for horse stealing in 1791, in Lancashire, England. She was dressed as a man and used the name James Burrow.
After being found guilty of her crime, she was sentenced to seven years transportation, and arrived in Sydney in October, 1792. At the age of seventeen she married Thomas Reibey, who was a junior officer on the ship 'Britannia'. Thomas began a cargo business, and after several years, began to acquire farms along the Hawkesbury River, and started trading in many different resources.
One of these two storey townhouses was home to the Reibeys. After Thomas died in 1811 Mary took over the many, and varied businesses, amassing a large fortune, which enabled her to expanded her enterprises. By her retirement in the early 1830's, she had many properties within the city of Sydney, as well as many more in rural communities. Mary Reibey died 30 May 1855, outlived five of her seven children, and was respected for her charitable works. She has featured on the Australian $20 note since 1994.
Thomas Reibey II, the eldest of seven children, took up the position of captain on the families trading ship after his father died. At about this time, Mary purchased 300 acres of land, and soon began construction of the Entally Estate in 1819.
Thomas Reibey II, the eldest of seven children, took up the position of captain on the families trading ship after his father died. At about this time, Mary purchased 300 acres of land, and soon began construction of the Entally Estate in 1819.
Entally Estate
Entally House. The house was named after a suburb of Kolkata, in India. Thomas Reibey had been shipwrecked on the Indian coast, and was taken in by a merchant who put him up until another vessel could take him home. The merchant’s bungalow was located at Entally, and Thomas Reibey II named the new house in honour of that episode in his fathers life.
Aside from wealthy businessmen, the house had many owners with other honours. Thomas Reibey II had three sons, the eldest of whom he named Thomas Reibey III (making that three Thomas Reibey’s in our tale, I hope you are keeping up!)
Thomas III grew up to become a minister, an archdeacon, and then became elected to the house of assembly, finally to become the Premier of Tasmania through 1876-77. Thomas retired in 1903, and died in his house at Entally 9 years later in 1912, aged 90.
Aside from wealthy businessmen, the house had many owners with other honours. Thomas Reibey II had three sons, the eldest of whom he named Thomas Reibey III (making that three Thomas Reibey’s in our tale, I hope you are keeping up!)
Thomas III grew up to become a minister, an archdeacon, and then became elected to the house of assembly, finally to become the Premier of Tasmania through 1876-77. Thomas retired in 1903, and died in his house at Entally 9 years later in 1912, aged 90.
Old farm machinery on display. Entally house is a listed historic site, and is undergoing constant restoration. The house is much different now than it was when first built, due to several major renovations by past owners. Thomas Reibey II built a chapel, added walls around the property, and added a second story. It is said the original building had several towers, but these were demolished so as to use the bricks and stone on the newer renovations.
The history of this estate would not be making it into this category without there being a ghost story attached, and the ghost of Entally Estate is quite interesting indeed.
The history of this estate would not be making it into this category without there being a ghost story attached, and the ghost of Entally Estate is quite interesting indeed.
An Indian Ghost?
Does the ghost of a turbaned Indian man haunt this estate? In 1954, the Argus (a Melbourne Newspaper) ran a story which included a little snippet about a woman who had seen the ghost of Entally, and became hysterical. You can also find ruminations that this woman had to be committed to the New Norfolk Asylum. But what did she see?
Entally is said to be haunted by the ghost of a Turbaned Indian. It is said that if you are unlucky, and a woman, you may run into him on the stairs. As you make your way up the narrow flight of stairs, you will come to a part that you will not be able to pass. The air will instantly chill, and then the Turbaned Indian will materialise for a few seconds before disappearing again.
No one is quite sure who this Indian gentleman could be.
Could he be somehow tied to Thomas Reibey and his shipwreck on the Indian Coast?
May the spirit be attached to one of the many antiques collected within the house?
Entally is said to be haunted by the ghost of a Turbaned Indian. It is said that if you are unlucky, and a woman, you may run into him on the stairs. As you make your way up the narrow flight of stairs, you will come to a part that you will not be able to pass. The air will instantly chill, and then the Turbaned Indian will materialise for a few seconds before disappearing again.
No one is quite sure who this Indian gentleman could be.
Could he be somehow tied to Thomas Reibey and his shipwreck on the Indian Coast?
May the spirit be attached to one of the many antiques collected within the house?
Ashley Hall 2013
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