John Alexander (Alex) Engel was born on 14-Mar-1853 in Sydney and Jane (Jinnie) Evans was born at Bundabah, Port Stephens on 9-May-1863. The couple were married at the Engel family home (The Fens) in 1884 and had nine children, two of whom died at an early age.

Financial pressure forced the family to leave the Engel family home and settle in Bulahdelah where Alex obtained employment as a timber worker. He took up shingle splitting (for roofs) and became an expert with an adze which was used to hand cut square beams and sleepers from fallen logs. After Alex died in 1921, Jinnie supported herself by providing accommodation for expectant mothers in Bulahdelah. She died in 1929. They were both buried in Bulahdelah Cemetery.

Gustav William (Gus) Engel was born on 5-May-1858. He married Eliza Gillespie in Raymond Terrace in 1879. Eliza was born on 23-Jan-1859 at Tilligery Creek, Port Stephens. The couple settled in various locations in the Raymond Terrace and Hinton area where Gus worked as a carrier before eventually returning to live in Tea Gardens where Gus took up fishing and oystering. Eliza operated the Homeville Guest House on the corner of Myall and Hough Streets, Tea Gardens. Gus died in 1916 and Eliza in 1939. They were buried in Tea Gardens Cemetery.

Gustav and Eliza's Guest House Homeville in Tea Gardens (taken 1972). In 2001 the current owners have decided to renovate the now derelict building.