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.

2 December 1810 | 4 December 1810