The first major white settlements in the colony of New South Wales were at Sydney and Norfolk Island. The Judge-Advocate, David Collins, returned to England in 1796, later publishing his Account of the Settlement. However, financial problems and desire for active service led to agitation for a further appointment. He was appointed to lead a settlement at the newly-discovered Port Phillip Bay. A party of convicts and free settlers was assembled and two ships provided – HMS Continue Reading »
Henry Waterhouse
Midshipman Henry Waterhouse arrived with the First Fleet aboard HMS Sirius. He was the eldest son of William and Susanna (Brewer) Waterhouse, born 13 December 1770 and christened 28 December 1770 at St James Middlesex. William had be page to the Duke of Cumberland who was Henry’s god-father. He entered the navy at an early age (16) and on 20 November 1786 joined HMS Sirius as midshipman (having been recommended to Captain Phillip), raising to the rank of acting third lieutenant on 28 Continue Reading »
Jane Dundas
The Sydney Gazette 11 March 1806 listed Wearing Apparel and other property of the late Mrs J Dundas, to be sold at Auction by Mr David Bevan on 2 April. Jane Dundas had accumulated considerable personal effects in her 15 years as servant to the King household. From her trial at the Old Bailey, Jane Dundas at the end of her life, was given a public funeral at which His Excellency Governor King and family attended. Jane Dundas was in service as laundry maid to the Hon Sir John Skinner when Continue Reading »
John White
First Fleet’s Surgeon-General John White, destined afterwards to play an important part in the founding of the Colony of New South Wales, was born in Sussex in 1750, possibly at Worthing, but we have no record of the exact place of his birth, of who or what his forefathers may have been. (Researchers have since discovered that John White was born around 1756, the son of John White of Drumaran, near Mullaghdun, County Fermanagh, Ireland. He had at least one brother Thomas and one sister Jane. Continue Reading »
Richard Johnson
There was not a more fitting place for First Fleet descendants to begin Australia Day 2012, than being seated in the beautiful Mission to Seafarers’ St Peter’s Chapel, with its maritime theme stain-glass windows and furnishings. The First Fleet Commemorative Service was conducted by the Reverend Jed Crispin, Port Chaplain and his reflections were on the life and ministry of Reverend Richard Johnson, First Chaplain to Australia. Richard Johnson – first Chaplain to Australia Just Continue Reading »
David Collins
David Collins was born in London on 6 March 1756, the son of Arthur Tooker Collins, a senior Officer of Marines and Henrietta Caroline (nee Fraser), of King’s County Ireland. During his childhood his father was promoted to Major General and appointed Commandant of Marines at Plymouth. The family moved to Devon and David was educated at Exeter Grammar School. On 20 February 1771, just before he turned 15 he was gazetted a Second Lieutenant of Marines on his father’s station. David Continue Reading »
Arthur Phillip
Arthur Phillip (1738 - 1814) Captain and Governor of New South Wales 11 October 1738, born London England Aged 15 years Apprenticed into Mercantile Service 1775, Midshipman, Royal Navy 1774, seconded as Captain, Portuguese Navy 1781, promoted to Captain, Royal Navy 24 October 1786 hoisted his flag as Commodore in HMS Sirius as Captain-General for the proposed expedition to New South Wales 18 January 1788 sailed into Botany Bay in HMS Supply 26 January 1788 landed and unfurled British Flag, Continue Reading »