This is a timeline of the main events relating to Diana's life.
William Phillips born - Plymouth, England.
Robert Rayner born - Suffolk, England.
William Cox builds the first road across the Blue Mountains.
George Cox (son of William) is granted 600 acres of land at Mulgoa, this becomes the site of his home 'Winbourne'.
William Phillips, a convict, arrives in Australia aboard the “Coromandel”.
James Blackman becomes the first European person in the immediate Mudgee area and the first to cross the Cudgegong River. George Cox is also involved in this exploration and takes up land in the Mudgee area.
Martial law is declared resulting in the massacre of many Aboriginal people, quite likely including some of Diana’s family members. Information available suggests that Diana’s parents were killed in a massacre some time before 1839. George Henry COX is born at ‘Winbourne’.
Diana Mudgee (Jennings) is born in Mudgee. Her birth is not officially registered. Birth date is assumed from Conditional Purchase records in 1885.
Robert Rayner, a convict, arrives in Australia on the “Burrill”.
William Phillips begins working for George Cox in Bathurst.
William Phillips obtains a Ticket of Leave. The town of Mudgee is gazetted. George Cox granted 2,560 acres of land in Mudgee.
Diana’s first child, Sarah Knight, is born in Mulgoa. Her father is James Knight.
Diana marries William Phillips in St Thomas' Church in Mulgoa and returns to Mudgee shortly after.
Diana marries William Phillips in St Thomas' Church in Mulgoa and returns to Mudgee shortly after.
Diana has two daughters with William Phillips, Mary Ann and Emma, both born in the Mudgee area.
William Phillips disappears some time after the birth of Emma, his second daughter to Diana. George Henry Cox takes up administration of the Cox family estates in Mudgee.
William Phillips receives a Conditional Pardon. Mudgee consists of 36 homes, 3 hotels, 1 hospital, 1 post office, 2 stores and an Anglican church.
James Knight dies in Mulgoa. George Cox refers to James’ death in his letters to his son George Henry.
William Rayner, the first of seven children between Diana and Robert Rayner is born. Robert Rayner and Diana never married. Robert was also involved with Mary Cummings (Christie) and had two children with her.
Elizabeth Rayner born
William Phillips dies (records are unclear as to whether William died in 1852 or 1862).
Shadrack Robert Rayner born.
John Blackhall arrives in Australia.
Caroline Rayner born.
11 November, Piambong - Death of Diana’s daughter Caroline Rayner from whooping cough. Mudgee’s population increased to around 1500.
Robert Rayner acquires land at Piambong (near Mudgee) via conditional purchase.
Harriet Rayner born.
Construction of Burrundulla homestead is completed by George Henry Cox.
4 July, Piambong - John Blackhall marries Diana’s daughter Elizabeth Rayner, aged 18.
Thomas Rayner born.
3 June, Piambong - Death of Thomas Rayner, Diana’s tenth child.
6 August, Mudgee - Marriage of George Vitnell to Diana’s daughter Jane Rayner, aged 21.
August 6 - Robert Rayner dies at Mudgee.
John and Elizabeth Blackhall take up 50 acres of land at Spicers Creek.
8 April - Marriage of Diana’s son Shadrack Robert Rayner to Sarah Ann Metcalf
Submission made to establish a school at Spicers Creek. 1 October - Marriage of Richard Smith and Diana’s daughter, Harriet Rayner, aged 17.
John Blackhall becomes the first postmaster of Spicers Creek. John Blackhall acquires a further 300 acres of land.
Diana Mudgee is granted a Conditional Purchase of 400 acres of land at Piambong which she is able to improve with the assistance of George Henry Cox.
Death of Diana's daughter, Harriet Smith (nee Rayner), aged 25.
Diana applies for additional land.
By this time, ownership of the land previously owned by Diana has fallen to Reginald Belmore Cox.
4 May, Piambong - Death of Diana Mudgee, aged 76. Buried Piambong.
The Commonwealth Franchise Act of 1902 revokes the voting rights of Aboriginal men.
Women are granted voting rights in Australia.
11 October, Spicers Creek - Death of Elizabeth Blackhall (nee Rayner).
24 March, Dubbo - Death of Jane Vitnell (nee Rayner).
28 July, Cunnamulla QLD – Death of William Rayner, aged 75.
30 September - Death of Shadrack Robert Rayner, aged 69.