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Colonial Events

1840

 

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  Moreton Bay opened up for general settlement
 
 

 

 

  Economic Depression after withdrawal of funds from banks and decline in value of livestock
 

Prince of Wale Birthday celebration in 1869 at Sir Joseph Banks Hotel, Botany

 

  Sir Joseph Banks Hotel at Botany commenced. By the time of this engraving in 1869, gardens and a zoo had been established on the grounds.

George Street Sydney 1840

  Hordern Bros department store founded in Sydney
   

Paul Strzelecki  - tour of south western Australia

The Progress Of Ethnology By John Russell Bartlett

 

 
 

JANUARY

 

  Port Phillip Herald established
 
 

JANUARY 4

 

  The house of Colonel Kenneth Snodgrass at Raymond Terrace robbed by three armed men
 
 

JANUARY 4

 

  Death of catholic priest James Dixon
 
 

JANUARY 7

 

  Launch of the General Steam Navigation Company steamer Victoria at Hunter's River (built by Korff at Greenhills)
 
 

JANUARY 11

 

  Departure of Angus McMillan and party from the Tambo River to Gippsland
 
 

January 19

 

  Departure per H.M.S. Herald for New Zealand of surveyor Felton Matthew; His Excellency Captain Hobson, Lieut-Gen of NZ; Dr. Johnson and Mr Hustler
 
 

JANUARY 25

 

  Arrival of convict transport Middlesex from Dublin with 193 male prisoners and from the Mauritius 1 prisoner. 421 tons, Captain Munro. Surgeon Thomas Baird. 29 rank and file of 50th regt.
 
 

JANUARY 29

Map showing location of Lord's land near Newcastle

  Death of pioneer merchant Simeon Lord
 
 

FEBRUARY

 

  Hunter River in flood. Vessels unable to load at Morpeth as roads were impassable for drays
 
 

FEBRUARY

 

  Arrival of the vessel Nautilus (2)
 
 

FEBRUARY 15 (?12)

 

 

  Paul Strzelecki and James Macarthur ascend Mt. Kosciuszko

Select HERE for a History of Mt. Kosciuszko

 
 

 

FEBRUARY 25

 

 

  Arrival of Buffalo store ship with prisoners convicted in the disturbances in Canada. American prisoners disembarked in Van Diemen's Land and French Canadian prisoners sent to Sydney. One died on the passage.
 
 

FEBRUARY 26

 

  Arrival of convict ship  Woodbridge
 
 

MARCH

 

 

 

 

Alexander Maconochie appointed administrator of Norfolk Island .....

 'Thoughts on Convict Management and other Subjects connected with the Australian Penal Colonies' written by Maconochie in 1838

 

 

 

MARCH

 

 

 

Patrick Leslie overlands first cattle to Darling Downs, Qld

 
 
 

MARCH 21

 

 

Murrurundi mail robbed by bushrangers

 
 

MARCH

 

  Arrival of Maltese mules and muleteers imported by Australian Agricultural Company
 
 

APRIL

 

  William Lawson robbed by two armed men near Iron Cove bridge on the Parramatta Road
 
 

APRIL 4

 

  Survey for railroad between Newcastle and Maitland completed ......READ MORE
 
 

APRIL 8

 

  Call for an end to 'the hateful lash' .......READ MORE
 
 

APRIL 27

 

  Arrival of convict transport Mangles
 
 

 

 

MAY

 

 

 

  Several men apprehended at Liverpool Plains by Major Nunn. Suspected of knowing the whereabouts of notorious bushranger Opossum Jack

More about Opossum Jack

 

 
 

MAY 5

 

  Public meeting in Melbourne to petition for separation from NSW
 
 

MAY 11

 

  Dan O'Connell cutter lost off Port Stephens.......Select HERE to read more about the Dan O'Connel
 
 

MAY 22

 

  Order of Council ends transportation of convicts from England to NSW
 
 

JUNE

 

  Court House at Newcastle completed. Mortimer Lewis Colonial Architect and builders Richardson & Hudson
 
 

JUNE

 

  Brig Maria wrecked off South Australian Coast 27 passengers and crew killed by Aborigines.
 
 

JUNE

 

  Ship China arrived with passenger David Stolworthy ( later medical practitioner at Patrick Plains)
 
 

JUNE 8

 

  Edward John Eyre begins overland journey from Adelaide to King George Sound W.A
 
 

JUNE 23

 

  Foundation stone laid for The Garrison Church. Holy Trinity by Rev. W.G. Broughton. Corner of Argyle & Lower Fort Streets Miller's Point. Architects - Henry Ginn and Edmund Blacket. Builder Edward Flood
 
 

JULY 1

 

 

First Edition of the daily Monitor

 
 

JULY 13

 

  Arrival of female convict transport Surry.
 
 

JULY 14

 

  Arrival of convict ship Maitland
 
 

JULY 24

 

  Arrival of female convict ship IsabellaII
 
 

AUGUST 14

 

  Discovery of Lake Eyre by E.J. Eyre
 
 

AUGUST 17

 

  Arrival of convict transport King William
 
 

AUGUST 17

 

  Arrival of convict transport Margaret
 
 

AUGUST 18

 

  Arrival of Hunter Valley land owner Henry Lindeman on the Theresa
 
 

SEPTEMBER

 

  Bushranger 'Barraby Jack' active in the Cassilis district
 
 

SEPTEMBER

 

  Sydney Morning Herald commenced daily publication
 
 

 

SEPTEMBER

 

 

  George Arden published Latest information with regard to Australia Felix, the finest province of the great territory of New South Wales ; including the history, geography, natural ... population and advice to immigrants
 
 

SEPTEMBER 24

 

 

Arrival of Australian Agricultural Company colliers on board ship Richard Webb

 
 

SEPTEMBER 28

 

  Mass meeting of workers in Sydney protesting against amendment to the Masters & Servants Act
 
 

OCTOBER

 

  Elphinstone arrived with 248 emigrants principally agriculturalists. Ten deaths on the passage out
 
 

OCTOBER

 

  Sir George Gipps informs Council that information had been received on 1st August ending transportation to the Colony
 
 

OCTOBER

 

  Famous Court case - Mudie v. Kinchela
 
 

OCTOBER 5

 

  Formation of the Synod of Australia
 
 

OCTOBER 31

 

  Australia's first political election - Adelaide municipal election
 
 

NOVEMBER 6

 

  Arrival of convict transport Pekoe
 
 

NOVEMBER 17

 

  Death of Church of England clergyman Henry Fulton
 
 

NOVEMBER 18

 

  Arrival of Eden  - last convict ship to off load convicts in Sydney - 267 male prisoners
 
 

 

NOVEMBER

 

 

  Discovery ships Erebus and Terror under Captain Ross, R.N. and Captain Crozier to depart at the end of the month

Read about the Erebus and Terror at Cool Antarctica

 
 

NOVEMBER 21

 

  Geelong Advertiser established by J.P. Fawkner
 
 

DECEMBER

 

  Steamer Clonmell begins passages to Port Phillip.
   

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