Sydney Timeline - The First Twelve Years

26 January  28 January February February February February March March

Convicts landed at Port Jackson French ships L'Astrolabe and La Bussole under Commanders De la Perouse and De d' Angle anchored in Botany Bay Philip Gidley King appointed Superintendent and commandant of Norfolk Island First Church Service in Australia conducted by Rev. Richard Johnson at Sydney Cove Colony of NSW formally proclaimed and Governor's commission read Discovery of Lord Howe Island by Lieut. Ball First Execution in NSW Formal establishment of settlement at Norfolk Island

 

1789	Drought begins

March April June June August October November November December

Six marines executed in Sydney for stealing food Mutiny of the Bounty Discovery of Nepean River by Watkin Tench First play performed in Australia - George Farquhar's comedy The Recruiting Officer First Police Force in the colony - Nightwatch First Launching of vessel in Sydney  Rose Hill Packet James Ruse  farm of 30 acres - supported from the public store until 25 February 1791 Bennelong taken prisoner Unsuccessful attempt by William Dawes to cross the Blue Mountains

 

1790	Colony in drought

January March March April May June June 20 - 28 June September October

Departure from England of the Second Fleet Departure from Sydney of H.M. Sirius Sirius wrecked off Norfolk Island Reduction of rations First salt made at Dawe's Battery, Sydney Arrival of the Lady Juliana  with provisions and 221 female convicts Arrival of storeship Justinian in Sydney Cove Arrival of Second Fleet Governor Phillip speared in the shoulder by aborigine Willemering Return of Supply with provisions

 

1791	Drought continues

January March June July August August - October 1 August  September 26 September 26 September 13 October 14 October 16 October December 19 December

Signing of first land grant in Australia (to James Ruse) Remarkable escape from the colony by convicts William, Mary Bryant and others Re-naming of Rosehill to Parramatta Mary Ann arrived at Sydney Cove (First ship of Third Fleet) 12 prisoners settled between Prospect Hill and the Ponds on the Hawkesbury Rd Arrival in Sydney of  Ships of the Third Fleet Matilda - Convict Daniel Phillips accompanied John Howe on his expedition of discovery in 1819 Arrival of The Gorgon with His Majesty's Authority for granting Pardons Absolutely or Conditionally Arrival of Newcastle storekeeper John Tucker on The Active First Irish convicts arrive on The Queen Arrival of Albermarle Arrival of Britannia Arrival of Admiral Barrington Public protest after reduction in rations The Gorgon cleared the Heads on her return voyage to England with the main body of the First Fleet Marines

 

1792	Estimated European population 3,120

February September 17 October 1 November 10 December

Arrival of The Pitt with Lieutenant Governor Grose and the company of the NSW Corps Arrival of The Kitty, Master George Ramsay. Naval agent Lieut. Daniel Woodriff. 29 convicts on board Arrival of convict transport Royal Admiral Arrival of Brigantine Philadelphia  in Sydney with a speculative cargo Return of Governor Phillip & remainder of the NSW Marine Corp to England on board the Atlantic

 

1793

1 January February February February 24 July 7 August 25 August September 17 September  September October

Rev. Samuel Marsden appointed Chaplain of New South Wales (not yet arrived) Five free settlers arrived in the Bellona and settled in the area now known as Homebush and Strathfield Grant of 100 acres to John Macarthur, the site of Elizabeth Farm House Opening of first official Church School in Sydney. Stephen Barnes Headmaster Colonial vessel Francis  launched in Sydney Arrival of Boddingtons transport with 124 male and 20 female convicts from Ireland First service held in Church built by Rev. Richard Johnson on corner of Hunter and Castlereagh St. Sydney First sale of corn by settlers to government store Arrival of convict transport Sugar Cane. Master Thomas Musgrave. Surgeon David Wake Bell. 159 convicts on board Grose River discovered by Col. Paterson Birth of William Charles Wentworth

1794

February March March March August 25 October 2 November 12 December 17 December 25 December December

Settlers take up 30 acre blocks of land on the banks of the Hawkesbury River Arrival of ship William. Master William Folger Flood at the Hawkesbury Arrival in Sydney of Rev. Samuel Marsden Attempt by Henry Hacking to cross the Blue Mountains Arrival of Surpise (2). Master Patrick Campbell Death of Deputy commissary Thomas Freeman. Replaced by Quartermaster of NSW Corps Thomas Laycock Grose replaced as administrator of the colony by Captain William Paterson of the NSW Corps Departure of Lieutenant governor Grose on board store ship Daedalus Oath of office taken by Captain Paterson who administered government until arrival of Governor Hunter Sydney to Parramatta road established

 

1795

February 5 September 7 September 11 September September October October October October October October 5 November

Survey of Port Stephens by Charles Grimes, assistant Surveyor General Death of assistant surgeon emancipist John Irving Arrival of Governor Hunter in Sydney on board the Reliance with midshipman Mathew Flinders Administration of Government taken over by Governor Hunter Flood of the Hawkesbury River. 25ft above usual level. One settler drowned Convict population - 1362 male & 546 female convicts Exploration by George Bass and Mathew Flinders  of Botany Bay and George's River in the Tom Thumb Exploration of Cowpastures (Camden) district First windmill in the colony erected Cargo of cedar sent to India Restrictions placed on cedar getting at the Hawkesbury Arrival of supply ship Sovereign. Master George Storey

 

1796

2 January 16 January 23 January January January February 11 February 19 March March 30 April  April May August September November December

Estimated European population 4,016 Opening of the first theatre in Sydney Arrival of store ship Ceres Reward offered for Bushranger Black Caesar (Sydney) Scottish Martyr Thomas Muir escaped from the colony on board American ship Otter Black Caesar shot and killed by pursuers Arrival of Marquis Cornwallis. Brought 1 years supply of ready made clothing Death of Scottish Martyr William Skirving Exploration by Bass & Flinders in Tom Thumb of Port Hacking and Lake Illawarra Arrival of ship  Indispensable with 131 female prisoners Resignation of assistant surgeon Leeds. D'Arcy Wentworth appointed in his place Merino sheep introduced into Australia William Balmain Principal Colonial surgeon Departure  of Captain Paterson for England on board Britannia Printing press first used by convict George Hughes Government shipyard established at Sydney

1797

February May  27 May 2 June August August September December December December

Wreck of the Sydney Cove  on Preservation Island Coal discovered at Coalcliff Arrival of Britannia. Thomas Denott master Arrival of ship; Ganges. Surgeon James Mileham. Master Thomas Patrickson Mutiny on board transport Lady Shore Colonial vessel Cumberland seized by prisoners Hunter Estuary entered by Lieutenant John Shortland South coast to Western Port explored by George Bass in the whaleboat Reliance Shoalhaven River discovered by George Bass Commercial vineyards planted

 

1798

1799

January 3 March 3 May  June 27 July  September 3 November 8 December  14 December  December December

Circumnavigation of Van Diemen's Land completed by Bass and Flinders Floods at the Hawkesbury river begin. Crops and stock destroyed.Govt. store house swept away Arrival of ship Buffalo. Surgeon Mr. Mason. Passenger J. W. Lewin Arrival of the Albion, Captain Bunker, from England with 900 tons of salt pork Arrival of ship Hillsborough. David Dickinson Mann. George Crossley, George Pell convicts on board Population - General Return of the colony - 4,746 Arrival of ship Walker. Master John Nichol Arrival of East India ship Swallow Arrival  in Port Jackson of ship Martha. William Reed Master -  with seal oil and skins  Resistance to European settlement by Aborigines in the Hawkesbury and Parramatta districts  Two Aboriginal boys murdered

26 January  28 January February February February February March March

Convicts landed at Port Jackson French ships L'Astrolabe and La Bussole under Commanders De la Perouse and De d' Angle anchored in Botany Bay Philip Gidley King appointed Superintendent and commandant of Norfolk Island First Church Service in Australia conducted by Rev. Richard Johnson at Sydney Cove Colony of NSW formally proclaimed and Governor's commission read Discovery of Lord Howe Island by Lieut. Ball First Execution in NSW Formal establishment of settlement at Norfolk Island

 

1789	Drought begins

March April June June August October November November December

Six marines executed in Sydney for stealing food Mutiny of the Bounty Discovery of Nepean River by Watkin Tench First play performed in Australia - George Farquhar's comedy The Recruiting Officer First Police Force in the colony - Nightwatch First Launching of vessel in Sydney  Rose Hill Packet James Ruse  farm of 30 acres - supported from the public store until 25 February 1791 Bennelong taken prisoner Unsuccessful attempt by William Dawes to cross the Blue Mountains

 

1790	Colony in drought

January March March April May June June 20 - 28 June September October

Departure from England of the Second Fleet Departure from Sydney of H.M. Sirius Sirius wrecked off Norfolk Island Reduction of rations First salt made at Dawe's Battery, Sydney Arrival of the Lady Juliana  with provisions and 221 female convicts Arrival of storeship Justinian in Sydney Cove Arrival of Second Fleet Governor Phillip speared in the shoulder by aborigine Willemering Return of Supply with provisions

 

1791	Drought continues

January March June July August August - October 1 August  September 26 September 26 September 13 October 14 October 16 October December 19 December

Signing of first land grant in Australia (to James Ruse) Remarkable escape from the colony by convicts William, Mary Bryant and others Re-naming of Rosehill to Parramatta Mary Ann arrived at Sydney Cove (First ship of Third Fleet) 12 prisoners settled between Prospect Hill and the Ponds on the Hawkesbury Rd Arrival in Sydney of  Ships of the Third Fleet Matilda - Convict Daniel Phillips accompanied John Howe on his expedition of discovery in 1819 Arrival of The Gorgon with His Majesty's Authority for granting Pardons Absolutely or Conditionally Arrival of Newcastle storekeeper John Tucker on The Active First Irish convicts arrive on The Queen Arrival of Albermarle Arrival of Britannia Arrival of Admiral Barrington Public protest after reduction in rations The Gorgon cleared the Heads on her return voyage to England with the main body of the First Fleet Marines

 

1792	Estimated European population 3,120

February September 17 October 1 November 10 December

Arrival of The Pitt with Lieutenant Governor Grose and the company of the NSW Corps Arrival of The Kitty, Master George Ramsay. Naval agent Lieut. Daniel Woodriff. 29 convicts on board Arrival of convict transport Royal Admiral Arrival of Brigantine Philadelphia  in Sydney with a speculative cargo Return of Governor Phillip & remainder of the NSW Marine Corp to England on board the Atlantic

 

1793

1 January February February February 24 July 7 August 25 August September 17 September  September October

Rev. Samuel Marsden appointed Chaplain of New South Wales (not yet arrived) Five free settlers arrived in the Bellona and settled in the area now known as Homebush and Strathfield Grant of 100 acres to John Macarthur, the site of Elizabeth Farm House Opening of first official Church School in Sydney. Stephen Barnes Headmaster Colonial vessel Francis  launched in Sydney Arrival of Boddingtons transport with 124 male and 20 female convicts from Ireland First service held in Church built by Rev. Richard Johnson on corner of Hunter and Castlereagh St. Sydney First sale of corn by settlers to government store Arrival of convict transport Sugar Cane. Master Thomas Musgrave. Surgeon David Wake Bell. 159 convicts on board Grose River discovered by Col. Paterson Birth of William Charles Wentworth

1794

February March March March August 25 October 2 November 12 December 17 December 25 December December

Settlers take up 30 acre blocks of land on the banks of the Hawkesbury River Arrival of ship William. Master William Folger Flood at the Hawkesbury Arrival in Sydney of Rev. Samuel Marsden Attempt by Henry Hacking to cross the Blue Mountains Arrival of Surpise (2). Master Patrick Campbell Death of Deputy commissary Thomas Freeman. Replaced by Quartermaster of NSW Corps Thomas Laycock Grose replaced as administrator of the colony by Captain William Paterson of the NSW Corps Departure of Lieutenant governor Grose on board store ship Daedalus Oath of office taken by Captain Paterson who administered government until arrival of Governor Hunter Sydney to Parramatta road established

 

1795

February 5 September 7 September 11 September September October October October October October October 5 November

Survey of Port Stephens by Charles Grimes, assistant Surveyor General Death of assistant surgeon emancipist John Irving Arrival of Governor Hunter in Sydney on board the Reliance with midshipman Mathew Flinders Administration of Government taken over by Governor Hunter Flood of the Hawkesbury River. 25ft above usual level. One settler drowned Convict population - 1362 male & 546 female convicts Exploration by George Bass and Mathew Flinders  of Botany Bay and George's River in the Tom Thumb Exploration of Cowpastures (Camden) district First windmill in the colony erected Cargo of cedar sent to India Restrictions placed on cedar getting at the Hawkesbury Arrival of supply ship Sovereign. Master George Storey

 

1796

2 January 16 January 23 January January January February 11 February 19 March March 30 April  April May August September November December

Estimated European population 4,016 Opening of the first theatre in Sydney Arrival of store ship Ceres Reward offered for Bushranger Black Caesar (Sydney) Scottish Martyr Thomas Muir escaped from the colony on board American ship Otter Black Caesar shot and killed by pursuers Arrival of Marquis Cornwallis. Brought 1 years supply of ready made clothing Death of Scottish Martyr William Skirving Exploration by Bass & Flinders in Tom Thumb of Port Hacking and Lake Illawarra Arrival of ship  Indispensable with 131 female prisoners Resignation of assistant surgeon Leeds. D'Arcy Wentworth appointed in his place Merino sheep introduced into Australia William Balmain Principal Colonial surgeon Departure  of Captain Paterson for England on board Britannia Printing press first used by convict George Hughes Government shipyard established at Sydney

1797

February May  27 May 2 June August August September December December December

Wreck of the Sydney Cove  on Preservation Island Coal discovered at Coalcliff Arrival of Britannia. Thomas Denott master Arrival of ship; Ganges. Surgeon James Mileham. Master Thomas Patrickson Mutiny on board transport Lady Shore Colonial vessel Cumberland seized by prisoners Hunter Estuary entered by Lieutenant John Shortland South coast to Western Port explored by George Bass in the whaleboat Reliance Shoalhaven River discovered by George Bass Commercial vineyards planted

 

1798

1799

January 3 March 3 May  June 27 July  September 3 November 8 December  14 December  December December

Circumnavigation of Van Diemen's Land completed by Bass and Flinders Floods at the Hawkesbury river begin. Crops and stock destroyed.Govt. store house swept away Arrival of ship Buffalo. Surgeon Mr. Mason. Passenger J. W. Lewin Arrival of the Albion, Captain Bunker, from England with 900 tons of salt pork Arrival of ship Hillsborough. David Dickinson Mann. George Crossley, George Pell convicts on board Population - General Return of the colony - 4,746 Arrival of ship Walker. Master John Nichol Arrival of East India ship Swallow Arrival  in Port Jackson of ship Martha. William Reed Master -  with seal oil and skins  Resistance to European settlement by Aborigines in the Hawkesbury and Parramatta districts  Two Aboriginal boys murdered