MAJOR GROSE IN CHARGE December 10th 1792 – Having long been in ill health and for this reason having begged relief from his duties, His Excellency Governor Arthur Phillip quitted his charge of the colony and embarked for England aboard Atlantic. The reins of Government are now in the hands of Lieut-Governor Major Grose, Commander of the N.S.W. Corps, who paid Governor Phillip the honours due to his rank as he boarded the vessel to take him home. Military power, hitherto considered requisite only Continue Reading »
SIR JOSEPH BANKS on BOTANY BAY
Joseph Banks, Esquire, when questioned, in case it should be thought expedient to establish a Colony of convicted Felons in any distant part of the globe, from whence their escape might be difficult, and where, from the fertility of the soil, they might be enabled to maintain themselves, after the first year, with little or no aid from the Mother Country, to give his opinion which place would be most eligible for such Settlement? The place which appeared to him most adapted for such a purpose Continue Reading »
Henry Edward Dodd
Our First Farmer Henry Edward Dodd was an experienced farm hand, who arrived with Governor Phillip, a servant of his since his days as a farmer in the New Forest. Dodd was found to be the only free man who could be employed cultivating the lands on the public account. In February 1788 he supervised clearing and hoeing operations at the head of Farm Cove and soon had a few acres under corn. Early in November 1788 Phillip established a military outpost at Rose Hill. He entrusted the Continue Reading »
