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Colonial Events

1804

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John Macarthur granted 5,000 acres by Lord Camden, which he selected at the Cowpastures.  
First Convicts to Van Diemen's Land  
Arrival of Lieut-General Collins at Risdon Cove, Van Diemen's Land  
First church service at Hobart by Rev. Robert Knopwood (1763- 1838)  
Government brewery established at Parramatta although hops were in short supply and an experienced brewer had yet to be found.  
Governor King signifies his intention of re-opening Newcastle settlement  
Uprising at Castle Hill

Bloody battle . . . a painting by an unknown artist depicts the Battle of Vinegar Hill, where several hundred convicts broke out of Castle Hill prison farm to take on the British redcoats. Photo: National Library of Australia

 
 

MARCH 5

 

Roman catholic services banned and martial law proclaimed  
 

MARCH 8

 

 

Three rebels executed at Parramatta -

Charles Hill, Samuel Humes (Hung in Chains) and John Place

 

 

 

MARCH 9

 

 

Three rebels executed at Castle Hill -

William Johnston (Hung in Chains), John Neale, George Harrington

 

 

 

 

MARCH 10

 

 

Two rebels executed at Sydney -

John Brannon and Timothy Hogan

 
Lieutenant Charles Menzies of HMS Calcutta offers his services as Superintendent at the new settlement at Coal River  
 

MARCH 15

 

Charles Grimes appointed Surveyor General of N.S.W. on retirement of Augustus Alt  

 

 

General orders for the new settlement at Coal River  

Example of the uniform of the Marines from a painting by Charles C. Stadden on the jacket of 'The First Fleet Marines 1786 - 1792' by John Moore (ISBN 0 7022 2065 5)

Lieutenant Menzies' uniform was perhaps similar to this although in 1802 a King's Order directed that the title of the Corps be changed to the 'Royal Marines'. As a consequence of the change of title, the facings were changed to ‘Royal’ blue rather than ‘Naval’ white, and the Officers’ lace was changed from silver to gold. Menzies departed England in April 1803 on the 'Calcutta', Captain Woodriff.

 
Settlement re- established at Hunter River under Lieutenant Charles Menzies. Convicts from the Castle Hill rebellion were among the convicts sent on this day  
 

MAY 7

 

Earthquake felt at Parramatta, Hawkesbury  

 

 

 

MAY 7

 

Arrival of Coromandel at Port Jackson with 200 convicts. John Robinson master. Convicts Benjamin Davis, George Mitchell and Richard Horner on board  

 

 

 

MAY

 

First successful innoculation against small pox in Sydney  

 

 

 

JUNE

Text not available

 

Lieut. Colonel Paterson, N.S.W. Corps, to be sent by Gov. King to examine Port Dalrymple with a view to settlement (Did not leave until October because of inclement weather)

Present State of Van Diemen's Land Comprising an Account of Its Agricultural Capabilitiese etc By HenryWidowson

 
 

JUNE 24

 

Arrival of convict ship Experiment1. Molly Morgan convict on board. Settlers Caleb and Felix Wilson passengers  
 

JUNE/ JULY

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Natives at Portland Head 'dispersed' by soldiers of the New South Wales Corp in consequence of hostility towards settlers........  
 

July

Lieutenant Menzies' plan of early coal mine

 

 

Fort Scratchley Digital Terrain Model &  Coal River Working Party

Surveying Project 2006 Alex Widgery and John Wilson

Select here

 

 
 

SEPTEMBER

 

Many convicts and half the military detachment withdrawn from Norfolk Island  

 

 

Attempt to cross the Blue Mountains by George Caley  
 

NOVEMBER

 

In 1804 cedar getters sent up the river lived under difficult and dangerous conditions. Read Lieutenant Menzies' correspondence regarding these early expeditions  
 

 

 

Arrival of Richard Siddons on the English whaler Alexander (Hunter Valley land owner and Sydney lighthouse keeper)  

 

 

 

DECEMBER 20

 

Death of Provost Marshal Thomas Smyth  

 

 

Death of pickpocket George Barrington.

 Image of George Barrington

 

Free Settler or Felon?

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