Free Settler or Felon
Convict and Colonial History




Colonial Events 1821




Colonel Lachlan Macquarie Governor of NSW until December

First Court house built at Newcastle

19 executions in the colony in 1821

January

Limestone Plains, Canberra area explored by Charles Throsby


January 3

Newcastle Christchurch spire damaged and two men were killed in a lightning strike - Charles Louch and Francis Farrell


January 9

Arrival of the Prince Regent convict ship. Captain Francis Clifford. Surgeon Alexander Taylor


January 17

Two men, two women, and an infant, were drowned in the Hunter's River about a mile from Newcastle when their boat upset. They were Mrs. Allen, wife of a settler at Wallis Plains, Mrs. Swan, also wife of a settler at Paterson's Plains, with her infant child, and Thomas Trainer and Jeremiah O'Neil, prisoners.


February 8


Colonial Appointments dated February 8:

Robert Espie, Surgeon, R.N., appointed Surgeon at Port Dalrymple, in the room of Mr. Moutgarrett

James Scott, Surge, R. N., appointed Surgeon at the Derwetn in the room of Mr. Luttrell

Patrick Hill, Surgeon, R.N. appointed assistant Surgeon at Liverpool

Richard Tress appointed Master Boat Builder of the King's Dock Yard at Sydney

John Nicholson, Master, R.N., appointed Master Attendant and Harbour Master at Port Jackson


February 8

Commissioner John Thomas Bigge returned to Britain on the Dromedary. Saluted with 13 guns from Dawes' Battery on his embarkation from the Governor's Wharf. Two Flank Companies of 48th Regt., to parade under Arms in Macquarie Place as Guard of Honour to the Commissioner


February 12

Arrival of convict ship Prince of Orange. Master Thomas Silk. Surgeon Superintendent George Shaw Rutherford


February 19

Arrival of convict ship Lord Sidmouth. The Lord Sidmouth departed Cork 4 November 1820 and arrived in Port Jackson 19 February 1821. Master James Muddle. Surgeon Thomas C. Roylance


March 8

Stage coach commenced between Sydney and Parramatta. Passengers - two Ministers, 2 Bank directors inside and 3 Officers of the 48th regt. as outside passengers. Bugles played the entire journey


March 10

Captain Francis Allman appointed Commandant at Port Macquarie


March 10

Rev. George Augustus Middleton appointed Assistant Chaplain at Newcastle


March 12

Arrival of the convict ship Dick Master William Harrison. Surgeon Robert Armstrong R.N.


March 13

Death of former NSW Governor John Hunter aged 83 years The Annual Biography and Obituary for the Year


March 21

Settlement at Port Macquarie founded by Captain Francis Allman. Soldiers, stores and convicts to Port Macquarie in the schooner Prince Regent, brig Lady Nelson and cutter Mermaid. Lieut. William Wilson of 48th regt., appointed Engineer and Inspector of public works. Abraham Fenton appointed Surgeon


April

Murrumbidgee River explored by Charles Throsby


April 2

Arrival of the Jessie. Passengers - Henry Dangar, Robert Coram Dillon and Alexander Livingstone.


May 2

Death of surgeon Thomas Arndell


May 11

Death of George Howe, founder and editor of Australia's first newspaper, the Sydney Gazette


May 18

Arrival of convict ship Speke. Captain Peter McPherson. Surgeon Edward Coates.


June

Government vessel Snapper made the fastest voyage ever from Sydney to Newcastle and back in 38 hours.


July

Death of commissary William Broughton


July 9

Wreck of the Phatisalam at Hunter Island, Bass Strait. Captain Peter Dillon


September 8

Arrival of the convict ship Adamant Captain William Ebsworthy. Surgeon James Hamilton.


September 16

Arrival of convict ship Grenada Captain Andrew Donald. Surgeon Peter Cunningham


October 25

Sailed for Europe - The Duchess of York. Passengers included G. Cathcart, William Redfern and wife and Edward Eagar with Emancipist petition re convict attaint


October

Arrival of John Rotton on the Lusitania, Captain Langdon


November 1

Governor Macquarie departed on the Elizabeth Henrietta for a tour of inspection to Port Macquarie and Newcastle


November 7

Arrival of convict ship John Barry. Captain Roger Dobson. Surgeon Daniel McNamara


November 7

Arrival in Sydney of Sir Thomas Brisbane and Australia's first government astronomer Christian Carl Ludwig Rumker on the merchant ship Royal George, under Captain Powditch


November

Lieutenant William Lawson traversed the site of Mudgee


November 17

Unusually high tides in Sydney


November 24

Arrival of convict ship Hindostan


November 24

Lieutenant E.C. Close appointed engineer and inspector of public works at Newcastle


December 1

Sir Thomas Brisbane became Governor of the Colony. Nineteen gun salute to celebrate the occasion


December 15

Arrival of the Mariner, Captain Douglass from London. Passengers William Dun


December 16


Arrival of convict ship Minerva. Surgeon Charles Queade


December 18

Arrival of convict ship John Bull. Surgeon William Elyard