December

Saturday 1st. Decr. 1811.[sic] —
We Breakfasted at 9 O'Clock this morning, having been joined previous thereto by Mr. Cox, Mr. & Mrs. Evans, Mr. Forest and some other Visitors. — Having sent off our Servants & Baggage and Carriage by the direct Road to the Government Cottage at the Green Hills on the Right Bank of the Hawkesbury, we mounted our Horses to make an Excursion to Richmond Hill, the Kurry Jung Brush, and Richmond Terrace on the Left Bank of the Hawkesbury; setting out from the Yellow-Mundie Lagoon at 10,O'Clock, accompanied by Mrs. Macquarie, the Gentlemen of our own Family, Mr. Cox & Mr. Evans, we crossed the Hawkesbury about a mile from our last Encampment, in a Boat to Richmond Hill, our Horses crossing the River by a bad Ford about half a mile higher up, and which we mounted again on landing at Richmond Hill. — We rode up the Hill to call on Mrs. Bell (the Wife of Lieut. Bell of the 102d. Regt.) who resides on her Farm on the summit of this beautiful Hill, from which there is a very fine commanding Prospect of the River Hawkesbury and adjacent Country. — We found Mrs. Bell and her Family at Home, and after sitting with them for about an hour, we again mounted our Horses to prosecute our Excursion, directing our course for the Kurry Jung Hill.

Soon after leaving Richmond Hill I discovered that my favorite horse Cato, which I had hitherto rode from the commencement of my Tour, was quite lame occasioned by a wrench he had got in crossing the River this morning at the deep bad Ford already alluded to. — In consequence of this accident I was obliged to send him back to go leisurely to the Green Hills, and to mount one of the Dragoon Horses during the rest of this day's Excursion. — We rode through a fine open Forest and Hilly Country for about 5 miles to the Foot of the Curry [sic] Jung Hill, which is very long and steep to ascend, arriving on the summit of it at 12 O'Clock, and from whence we had a very grand noble Prospect of the low grounds on both Banks of the River Hawkesbury as far as the Green Hills. — Having feasted our Eyes with this fine prospect on the one hand, and with that of the Blue Mountains ( here quite close to us ) on the other, we began to descend the Hill on the opposite side to that we ascended it, and the descent was so very steep that we had great difficulty to sit our Horses. — We arrived, however, safe and without meeting with any accident at the bottom of the Hill, which from the Summit to the foot cannot be less than a mile long, excessively steep, and covered with thick Brush-wood; but through which Mr. Evans had had a small Passage or Road made some little time before, with the view to mark out the best Path to descend the Hill. — The Brush wood that covers the sides of this Hill is full of a small sort of Leech, which fasten on Horses Feet and annoy & fret them very much. — Mrs. M. had two or three of them on her ankles at one time, and all our Horses were attacked by them, but they were soon shook off. — We found plenty of Wild Raspberries on the sides of this Hill, but they were without any flavour and not worth Eating.

On leaving the Kurry Jung Hill (named by the late Mr. Thompson "Mount Maurice" out of compliment to Lt. Col: OConnell), we pursued our way through that District of Country called the Kurry-Jung-Brush, which is a fine range of Hill & Dale alternately, and admirably well calculated for Pasturage, being well watered and abounding in good grass and good shelter for both Black Cattle & Sheep. Several Farms having been located in this fine tract of Country to different Individuals in the time of the Usurped Government, I desired Mr. Meehan the Acting Surveyor to point them out to me as we rode along.

About 2. P.M. we quitted the Kurry-Jung Brush and arrived on what is called Richmond Terrace, running Parallel with the Hawkesbury for about 3 miles and commanding a very rich and beautiful prospect of the low grounds on each side of the River, now looking very rich, being covered with luxuriant Crops of Wheat ready for cutting down to repay the Industrious Husbandman for his Toil and Labour. — From the Terrace we gradually descended into the Plains and Back Line of Farms on the left Bank of the Hawkesbury, and rode through beautiful extensive Fields of Wheat for Six or Seven Miles after descending from the Terrace till our arrival on that part of the Bank of the River opposite to the Green Hills. Here we dismounted; and crossed the River ourselves in the late Mr. Thompson's Barge, which was here waiting for us, whilst our Horses swam across the River, which is here about a quarter of a mile broad. At halfpast 5,O'Clock we arrived at the Ferry on the Left Bank of the River and at 6,O'Clock landed in the Government Garden on the Green Hills and took possession of the Government House – or, more properly speaking, – Government Cottage; most beautifully situated on the Summit of a very fine Bank or Terrace rising about Fifty feet above the level of the River; of which, and the adjacent Country, there is a very fine view from this sweet delightful Spot. — This day's ride was a very long and fatiguing one for us all, but particularly so for my poor dear Elizabeth; who, however, bore it uncommonly well, notwithstanding she was at least Seven Hours on Horseback, and rode not less than Thirty Miles during this Day's Excursion since we Breakfasted at Yellow-Mundie-Lagoon. —

Mrs. M. and myself were quite delighted with the beauty of this part of the Country; its great fertility, and its Picturesque appearance; and especially with the well-chosen and remarkable fine scite [sic] and situation of the Government Cottage and Garden on the Green Hills. — We dined soon after our arrival and after Dinner our Friend & Family physician Doctor Redfern took his departure for Sydney. —

Sunday 2d. Decr. 1811. [sic] —
Mrs. M. and myself with the Gentlemen of our Family, attended Divine Service this forenoon at the temporary Church at the Green Hills, where the Revd. Mr. Robert Cartwright, the Chaplain of this District, gave us a most excellent Discourse and read Prayers extremely well indeed. — After church Mrs. Macquarie and myself attended by Capt. Antill, rode in the Carriage to the new Burying Ground, distant about a mile from Government House, to view the Tomb where the remains of our late worthy and highly esteemed good friend Mr. Andw. Thompson, late Chief Magistrate of this District, are deposited, and whose loss we both very sincerely lament and deplore, and from whose superior local knowledge and good sound sense and judicious advice, I once fondly flattered myself I should derive great benefit and advantage during my present Tour of Inspection through this Colony. — The Spot Mr. Thompson's remains are buried in is most beautiful and happily selected by his Executor Captain Antill; and the Situation of this new Burying Ground altogether is one of the most beautiful and convenient that can well be imagined. — Having remained there for near Half an Hour, we took our leave of our departed Friend's Tomb (– which we intend to improve and render more elegant & conspicuous as a tribute of regard and friendship for his memory –) and proceeded in the Carriage to see two of his Farms called West Hill (or Red House Farm) and Killarney, both very good ones, and both within the convenient distance of two miles of the town on the Green Hills. The Road to these Farms is very good, and we had a very pleasant Drive to and from them in the Carriage. Mr. Cox and Doctor Mileham dined with us today.

Monday 3d. Decr.—
Immediately after Breakfast this morning I set out for the Richmond District, accompanied by the two Surveyors, Mr. Cox the Magistrate, the Revd. Mr. Cartwright, and the Gentlemen of my own Staff, in order to examine and survey the proper Grounds and Scite [sic] for a Town and Township in that District. We rode over the greater part of the Common formerly marked out in the time of Govr. King for the Richmond District, and afterwards over that part of it I deemed most eligible and convenient for erecting a Town and Township on, and which we at length fixed on at the extremity of the Common, near Pugh's Lagoon; intending to have the Church, School-House and Burying Ground on a very beautiful elevated Bank immediately above this fine bason [sic] of Fresh Water, and within about 200 yards of it. — After fixing on the situation of this Township I proceeded to view the different Farms of the Richmond District, first going along the Back-line as far as Capt. Forest's, and returning Home to the Green Hills by the Center and Front Line of Farms; the Soil of which in general is extremely good, and yield at this present time very fine Crops, but the Houses and Habitations of the Settlers are miserably bad, and the front and center lines of Farms are liable to be flooded on any innundation of the Hawkesbury River. — This day's Ride was a very hot, long, and fatiguing one; having been Nine Hours on Horseback. — I set out from the Government House at 8 O'Clock in the morning and did not return Home till 5 O'Clock in the afternoon, having rode about 35 miles. — Mrs. M. remained at Home this day, being a good deal fatigued after her long ride on Saturday. —

The Revd. Mr. Cartwright & his wife, Mr. Cox, and Dr. Mileham dined with us this day.

Tuesday 4th. Decr. —
Wishing to explore the Hawkesbury River, down as far as Portland Head, and at the same time view the Front Farms on both Banks that far, I set out this morning between 5 and 6 O'Clock, accompanied by Mrs. Macquarie, Mrs. Cartwright, Mr. Cartwright, Mr. Cox, Mr. Hassall, and the Gentlemen of our Family, in the late Mr. Thompson's Barge and another smaller Boat, on our Excursion to Portland Head. — We stopt [sic] at Govr. Bligh's Farm of Blighton, about six miles below the Green Hills on the Right Bank of the River, a very beautiful situation; and after walking about the grounds there for half an hour we proceeded on our Voyage down the River. — At 8 O'Clock we stopped at the New School-House recently erected by Subscription, on the left Bank of the River, a little below Caddye-Creek, but on the opposite side, where we had determined to Breakfast, which was accordingly prepared with all convenient haste within the New School-House, which is prettily situated on the Bank of the River. — Here Doctor Arndell came to pay us a visit from his Farm on Caddye Creek on the opposite side of the River, and Breakfasted with us. — After Breakfast we embarked again and prosecuted our voyage down the River, the Banks of which begin here to be very high and Rocky in most places. — The Farms on both Banks, especially those on the Left Bank, are rich and well cultivated, and make a pretty appearance from the water, being generally interspersed with extensive Orchards of Peaches and other Fruits. — We reached Portland Head, which is about twenty miles by the windings of the River from the Green Hills, about 12 O'Clock; and there being nothing of consequence to be seen lower down the River at this time, we retraced our steps back the same way we came till we arrived at Caddye Creek, where we quitted our Boat and landed at Dr. Arndell's Farm, where we had directed our Carriage & Horses to meet us, and where we found them accordingly waiting for us; the Boats proceeding Home with our Servants & Baggage.

We arrived at Dr. Arndell's House about 2,O'Clock, and having rested ourselves for about half an hour there, I set out on Horseback along with the Surveyors, Mr. Cox & Mr. Cartwright to survey and examine the Ground most eligible for a Town & Township in the Nelson District on the Common belonging to that District; Mrs. Macquarie proceeding home in the Carriage. — Having rode over the Common in various directions, we at length determined upon the part of it most eligible and convenient for a Township, immediately in rear of the Back Line of Farms, and entirely out of the reach of the inundation of the River. — We then rode home and arrived at the Government Cottage at ½ past 6 O'Clock in the Evening. — Mrs. M. had got Home long before us, and had Dinner ready prepared for us, which we enjoyed very much after our long water Excursion in the morning and fatiguing afternoon's ride. —

Wednesday 5th. Decr. —
I accompanied Mrs. M. in the Carriage this morning to pay Visits, immediately after Breakfast, to Mrs. Cox, Mrs. Pitt, Mrs. Evans & Mrs. Forrest, all residing in different Parts of the Richmond District. — On our return Home we stopt [sic] for a short time to shew Mrs. M. the Ground intended to be marked out for a Town & Township in the Richmond District close to Pugh's Lagoon, which she admired very much. — After my return Home I went to examine and view the inside of the Church, School-House and the Government Granaries and Provision Stores — all which I found in good order and repair; the Grain & Provisions being in excellent good condition. — Mr. Simeon Lord, and Mr. Moore from Sydney, and Dr. Arndell and his Daughters dined with us this day. —

Thursday 6th. Decr. —
At 9 O'Clock this morning, as soon as we had Breakfasted, I set out, attended by the Surveyors, Mr. Cox, Mr. Fitzgerald, and the Gentlemen of my staff (– leaving Mrs. M. at home) to visit the several Farms on the opposite side of the River, and to examine and survey the proper ground for a Town and Township for the Farms on the Left or North Bank of the River Hawkesbury liable to be flooded by the inundations. —

Having crossed the Ferry at the Green Hills to the North side of the River, we proceeded by the Front & Center line of Farms alternately as far down the River as Kershaw's Farm, about 7 miles from the Green Hills; and thence returning by the Back Line of Farms passed over the Common in rear of them, where we looked for an eligible Spot for the intended Town & Township for the accommodation of the Settlers of the Phillip District and others inhabiting the Northern Bank of the River Hawkesbury, and after carefully surveying the different Parts of the Common we fixed on a very safe and convenient situation for the Town and Township in this part of the Country; which done we returned home and arrived at Government Cottage at ½ past 2 O'Clock. — Took some refreshment and walked out to survey the Grounds belonging to the Crown in and near the present village on the Green Hills, and also the adjoining Public Common marked out for this part of the Country in the time of Governor King; a convenient part of which it is now my intention to appropriate for a large Town and Township for the accommodation of the Settlers inhabiting the South side of the River Hawkesbury, whose Farms are liable to be flooded on any inundation of the River, and to connect the present Village on the Green Hills with the intended new Town and Township. — After viewing the ground and maturely considering the importance of the measure, the scite [sic] and situation of the new Town was at length fixed finally upon — the exact scite [sic] of the new Church and Great Square being particularly marked out, as well as the extent and situation of the new Burying Ground; the Acting Surveyor, Mr. Meehan, receiving orders to measure and make out a Plan of the whole. —

A large Party of Friends dined with us today, consisting in all of 21 Persons, including our own Family. — After Dinner I christened the new Townships, drinking a Bumper to the success of each. — I gave the name of Windsor to the Town intended to be erected in the District of the Green Hills, in continuation of the present Village, from the similarity of this situation to that of the same name in England; the Township in the Richmond District I have named Richmond, from its beautiful situation, and as corresponding with that of its District; the Township for the Evan or Nepean District I have named Castlereagh in honor of Lord Viscount Castlereagh; the Township of the Nelson District I have named Pitt-Town in honor of the immortal memory of the late great William Pitt, the Minister who originally planned this Colony; and the Township for the Phillip District; on the North or left Bank of the Hawkesbury, I have named Wilberforce – in honor of and out of respect to the good and virtuous Wm. Wilberforce Esqr. M.P. – a true Patriot and the real Friend of Mankind.

Having sufficiently celebrated this auspicious Day of christening the five Towns and Townships, intended to be erected and established for the security and accommodation of the Settlers and others inhabiting the Cultivated Country, on the Banks of the Rivers Hawkesbury and Nepean; I recommended to the Gentlemen present to exert their influence with the Settlers in stimulating them to lose no time in removing their Habitations, Flocks & Herds to these Places of safety and security, and thereby fulfil my intentions and plans in establishing them. —

As soon as we had broke up from Table, Captain Antill, accompanied by Messrs. Lord and Moore, who had dined with us, set out by water for Scotland Island, a part of the Estate of the late Mr. Thompson, in order to take an account of his Property there, the rest of our Party returning to their respective Homes, highly gratified with their entertainment. —

Friday 7th Decr. —
I received and answered a great number of Petitions and Memorials from Settlers and others in the course of this morning. — I also received and answered a congratulatory address from the Principal Settlers & Inhabitants of the Hawkesbury and Nepean Districts, presented by Doctor Arndell, the oldest Settler in this Country (–having arrived in the Colony with Govr. Phillip in 1788 –) complimenting me on my administration, and first appearance in this part of the Colony; to which I made a suitable reply. —

In the afternoon I went to explore again the scite [sic] of the intended new Town of Windsor, accompanied by the two Surveyors, to whom I communicated my plans and final orders respecting the scite [sic] of the Church, Great Square in the new Town, and Small Square and Streets intended to be formed in the present Village, which is henceforth to form part of the Town of Windsor, and to be designated so accordingly. — I laid out several new Streets and gave directions for enlarging and improving the old ones, as well as respecting the size and descriptions of all future Houses that are permitted to be built in the Town of Windsor. —

Mr. Cox, Dr. Mileham, and Mr. Evans dined with us again today; my labours at Windsor being now ended. —

Saturday 8th. Decr. —
At 9,O'Clock this morning immediately after Breakfast, Mrs. M. and myself set out in the Carriage from Windsor for Parramatta, accompanied by the Gentlemen of our Family and Mr. Hassall. — We halted for about a quarter of an Hour at Lt. Col: OConnell's Farm of Riverston (granted to him by me on his marriage) distant about six miles from Windsor on the High Road to Parramatta; examined his Dairy and Stock-yards, and then pursued our journey. — On our arriving near the Districts of the Seven Hills and Toongabbee, I quitted the Carriage and mounted my Horse in order to take a view of the Farms in those two Districts; leaving Mrs. M. to pursue her journey in the Carriage to Parramatta, attended by the Orderly Dragoon Serjeant; our Servants and Baggage having been sent off thither early this morning from Windsor. — Mr. Hassall attended me as Guide to lead me through the numerous Farms in these two Districts, all of which I either saw at a short distance or actually visited in the course of this day's Journey. — The soil of those Farms is in general, very bad, and exhausted by the Settlers constantly keeping the same Fields in Tillage and giving them no artificial manure. The Houses or rather Huts of the Settlers are very bad, mean, and inconveniently constructed; themselves and their Families badly clothed, and apparently very ill and poorly fed. — I spoke to and admonished many of them to pay more attention in future to their own Personal cleanliness and comfort and to build themselves better Houses to live in; promising to such as followed this good advice every reasonable assistance and encouragement from Government. — Having seen all the Farms in the Seven Hills and Toongabbee Districts, I pursued my Journey home to Parramatta, where I arrived at ½ past 4,O'Clock; finding Mrs. Macquarie at Government House before me. —

Sunday 9th. Decr. —
Mrs. M. and myself and the Gentlemen of our Family, attended Divine Service at Parramatta church this day, and had a very good Discourse from the Revd. Mr. Marsden the Principal Chaplain of the Colony. — In the afternoon Lieut. Col: & Mrs. OConnell, and Secry. Campbell paid us a visit from Sydney, and dined and spent the Day with us at Parramatta. —

Monday 10th. Decr. —
Lt. Col. & Mrs. OConnell and Secry. Campbell returned to Sydney this morning after Breakfast, and Mrs. M. and myself in the Carriage, accompanied by Mr. Meehan the Surveyor on Horseback, proceeded to view and visit the Farms in the District of Prospect Hill. —

On reaching Prospect Hill, I quitted the Carriage and mounted my Horse to inspect the several Farms attended by the Surveyor; whilst Mrs. M. proceeded in the Carriage to the House of Warbie our late Guide, and there wait my joining her. — The Soil of all the Farms in this District is of an excellent quality, and yield good Crops of Wheat and Maize alternately. — The Houses of the Settlers are of a better description, and they appear to live more comfortably and are more decently clothed than those of the Seven Hills and Toongabbee. — I joined Mrs. M. at Warbie's House at 2 O'Clock after riding through all the Farms in the Prospect District. — Warbie shewed us his wife and a numerous Family of Children, and I promised him an additional Grant of Land. —

We returned again to Parramatta at 4,O'Clock. —

Tuesday 11th. Decr. —
I went in the Carriage with Mrs. M. accompanied by Mr. Meehan the surveyor, this morning after Breakfast to see and inspect the Government Agricultural Farm of Castlehill, where the Government Crops of Wheat are now ripe and cutting down to be gathered in. — Having inspected the whole of this Farm and its capablities for Tillage and Pasturage, I proceeded to visit those remaining Farms in Baulkham-Hills and Toongabbie Districts, which I had not seen in my first Excursion to these Districts at the commencement of my Tour of Inspection in November. — These Farms are in general poor ones, and not productive, but I was highly gratified with the appearance of two of them – namely those belonging to Best and Pye, two very industrious respectable Settlers, who have their Farms well cultivated and in most excellent order, – with good offices, and comfortable decent Dwelling Houses. —We returned home from this day's Excursion at 4,O'Clock. —

Wednesday 12th. Decr. —
At 9,O'Clock this morning, as soon as we had Breakfasted, I set out to inspect and visit the Farms in the District of Concord, lying along the Southern Side of the Arm of the Sea or River between Parramatta and Sydney. Mrs. M. accompanied me in the Carriage as far as Powell's Farm at the Half-Way House, where she remained in the Carriage; whilst I mounted my Horse, and attended by Mr. Meehan the Surveyor, and Capt. Cleaveland, proceeded to inspect and visit the several farms in this small District. — These Farms are of small extent and very poor Soil, the Settlers are very poor, and live in mean dirty small Habitations. — I admonished and advised them to pay more attention to their own concerns, and to become more industrious. —

I rejoined Mrs. M. at the Half-Way-House between 1 and 2,O'Clock, and returned with her in the Carriage to Parramatta, where we arrived at half past 2,O'Clock. — I then proceeded on Horseback, attended by Mr. Meehan, to inspect the Town and Streets of the Town of Parramatta, and planned several new streets, alterations, and improvements for the ornament of the Town and the accommodation of its Inhabitants.

Thursday 13th. Decr. 1810. —
The Farms lying on the shores of Botany Bay, on Cook's River and in the small District of Petersham, between Sydney and Botany Bay, being the only ones in the Colony now remaining unexplored in my present Tour of Inspection, I set out this morning at 7 O'Clock from Parramatta with Mrs. Macquarie in the Carriage, and accompanied by the Gentlemen of our Family and the Surveyor, to visit those Farms on my return home to Sydney. — We struck off at Powell's Half-Way-House through the Woods, and after a very pleasant Drive through a thick Forest, arrived at Capt. Townson's Farm House on Botany Bay, at half past 9,O'Clock. We found the Captain at home in his very pretty neat clean little Cottage, where he received us with hospitality and in a Gentlemanlike manner; and whilst our Breakfast (which we had carried along with us) was getting ready, he walked with us to shew us his Garden, and all the other little improvements of his Farm. — His Garden we found in excellent order, and producing the largest and best Strawberries I have yet seen or eat [sic] in this Colony. — After Breakfast we embarked on the Water in Capt. Townson's Boat, in order to see his own and his Brother Doctor Townson's Farm, which join each other at this Place. — The Doctor's Farm we found in miserable bad order, with only one Solitary Hut on it, occupied by two of his indented Servants, a man and his wife – the latter being very sickly and to all appearance half starved; there were no appearance whatever of any improvements on this Farm, which is as yet in a state of nature.

Having viewed these Farms, we proceeded for five or six miles down Botany Bay until we opened the Heads and Entrance of it, and then returned to Capt. Townson's Cottage after a two hours very pleasant Water Excursion. — At 1. P.M. We set out again from Capt. Townson's for Mrs. Laycock's Farm near Cook's River, and arrived there at half past 2,O'Clock. — We found Mrs. Laycock and her two Daughters at home, in a very neat comfortable well built Farm House and well furnished; the good old Lady's Farm being also in a forward state of improvement in other respects. — After resting for half an hour at Mrs. Laycock's, we pursued our Journey on to Canterbury; thus crossing Cook's River twice over a very slender bad Bridge within two miles of Mrs. Laycock's Farm, and is rather dangerous for a Carriage. — At 4. P.M. we arrived at Canterbury, a Farm belonging to Mr. Robt. Campbell Senr. Mercht. at Sydney. — It is an extensive Farm, and a good deal of the wood has been cleared,;but the Soil is bad, and neither good for Tillage or Pasturage.

I quitted the Carriage and mounted my Horse at Canterbury in order to inspect the few remaining small Farms between this and Sydney; Mrs. Macquarie proceeding in the Carriage by the Main Road, to meet and wait for me at Grose Farm. — I called at Mr. Moore's, Mr. Blaxcell's, Mr. Blaxland's, Capt. Rowley's and several other smaller Farms in the District of Petersham, all of which are poor and of little value; the Farm Houses, however, are tolerably good; and considerable pains have been taken to clear, enclose and improve the Lands.— At half past 5. P.M. I joined Mrs. Macquarie, whom I found in the Carriage near Grose Farm, and there getting in to the Carriage again, we drove in to Sydney, arriving at the Government House at Six O'Clock in the Evening, having been absent on this very pleasant Tour of Inspection 5 weeks & 2 Days.

L. M.

Source
Macquarie, Lachlan. Journal of a Tour of Governor Macquarie's first Inspection of the Interior of the Colony 6 November 1810 - 15 January 1811.
Original held in the Mitchell Library, Sydney.
ML Ref: A778 pp.46-70; [Microfilm Reel CY302 Frames #480-504].

Also available at: Journeys in Time: 1810