AMOS CRISP was born at London in the year 1812. With three brothers - Edward Charles and John-and two sisters, he came to Australia in the year 1835. The brothers turned their attention to cattle raising, bringing their first draft, purchased from the Government, as far as Lake George. They held the cattle there whilst they endeavoured to locate suitable country. Maneroo was to a large extent unknown, but by reason of reports which had drifted through concerning its possibilities, two of the brothers determined to inspect it. They travelled South, passing Queanbeyan, and went through the small settlement that was then Cooma, finally crossing the Snowy River at what was afterwards Buckley's Crossing Place. and later still, Dalgety There, the country appealing to them, they determined to settle. They took up the Jimen Buen Run (afterwards contracted into Jimenbuen). and in the Gazette of 1848, referred to in this Souvenir, Amos Crisp, Junr., is scheduled as an applicant for Lease No. 38, known as Jimen Buen, containing 30,720 acres, with a carrying capacity of 1500 cattle. It is noteworthy that this run, now known as Jimenbuen Station, still remains in the Crisp family. Until recently it was owned by Mr. Charles Crisp. In 1924 it was floated into a limited liability company, under the name of Jimenbuen, Limited, the controlling interests in which was held by Mr. Charles Crisp.

After the discovery of Jimenbuen, the brothers returned to Lake George and brought their stock on to the newly found run, upon which Amos remained. Charles went to Albury where he acquired a property known as - Mangoplagh," and John went to Omeo. in Victoria. After about eleven years spent on Jimenbuen, Amos Crisp, in 1846, married Miss Elizabeth Ann Williams, of Windsor, who, born in 1824, came with her parents in 1843 to near Nimitybelle, and from thence, after some little time going to The Gullies Station, some 50 miles south of Cooma. Miss Williams, who was a remarkably expert swimmer, on one occasion during a flood saved seven lives in one day.

A family of twelve children - seven sons and five daughters - was the result of the union, and some of the sons have borne an active part in the communal life of the district. One son John, was for a number of years Chairman of the Pastures Protection Board, Shire Councillor, and his services were, over a long period, sought by various pastoral Societies as a sheep, horse, and cattle judge. Another son, Charles, has been a member of the Dalgety Shire Council over a long period, and has been associated with nearly every Dalgety local movement. Edward Crisp, a third son, has, like his brothers, given his services to the country and in 1922 occupied the Presidential chair in the Manaro Shire Council. He is the present Chairman of the Cooma Pastures Protection Board. Still another son, William has been a Shire Councillor, has associated himself with many local institutions, and in 1925 was President of the Cooma Hospital Committee. David Crisp, another son, now dead, was a prominent figure in all matters of local moment at Buckley's Crossing He was the owner of Springvale Station, and for a number of years a Shire Councillor. Another son, George, owned Matong Station.

The early days of Amos Crisp at Jimenbuen were not free from both difficulty and danger. Blacks, who were very numerous, if not actually dangerous to human life, were continually spearing the cattle. A market for cattle was difficult to obtain, and one draft of Jimenbuen fat bullocks was sold in Sydney for boiling down purposes at 17/6 per head. New Zealand was resorted to as a market in 1850. On one occasion a Crisp consignment, being condemned as pleuro, infected, was taken out to sea and thrown overboard. In later years the Gippsland market proved profitable. Mr. Crisp in November, 1852, purchased Numbla Station for 1000 pounds from Captain Gorman. He also purchased Matong Run from Ben Boyd, and worked it and Numbla as one property. On the three properties named Mr. Crisp raised many cattle, as many as 3,000 calves being branded in one year. They were weaned in a property now known as Mount Darragh, and owned by Langhorn Bros.

After the passing of the Land Act of 1861, the consequent taking up of land restricted the, areas formerly available to run holders, and in 1867 Mr. Crisp acquired his first flock of sheep. In December, 1869, he consigned eight bales of wool, weighing 2,989 lbs. net, to Harrison and Jones for sale by auction, and realised 10 1/2d. per lb.

At Jimenbuen Mr. Crisp grew wheat which, after 1861, he sent in to Mr. Alexander Mortague, to have gristed in the latter's mill at Cooma.