Colonial Events
1818
Total population in New South Wales.....17,165
Total population in Van Dieman's Land....3,214
Of the above there were 4,100 male convicts and 2340 female convicts and 850 of their children 600 soldiers of the 48th regiment (The Morning Chronicle 28 November 1818)
Public floggings end in 1818. All flogging hereafter were to be administered in barracks yards Select here to find out the names of scourgers in New South Wales 1809 - 1836
Maitland established. First called 'The Camp', Molly Morgan's Plains', 'Wallis Plains' and later 'Maitland'
See Early Hunter Valley Settlers and Molly Morgan and the Angel Inn
January
The Great Western Road between Parramatta and Emu Plains is opened
January 1
Appointment of Rev. Richard Hill as Senior Assistant-Chaplain of NSWJanuary 3
Government Order - It having been reported to His Excellency the Governor, that the Colonial Vessels resorting from hence to Newcastle for Coals are subject to unnecessary Delays and Expences, by Reason of the Length of Time the small Crews of those Craft take in putting the Cargo on board ; and it appearing that other inconveniences attend the landing of the Crews of private Vessels at Newcastle, which it is expedient to guard against; It is hereby notified, that from henceforth all Cargoes of Coals required for private Vessels at that Settlement will be put on board by the Government Men employed there in furnishing the Coals ; and in Order to cover the Expences of this additional Duty, as well as to compensate in some Measure for the increased Labor of working the Mines, the Price or Charge for Coals will be Twelve Shillings per Ton free on board ; and no one will be allowed to employ any other Persons than those immediately in the Service of Government to put Coals on board Vessels at Newcastle.January 10
Arrival of the convict ship Ocean under Captain Samuel RemmingtonJanuary 14
Arrival of the convict ship Friendship under Captain ArmetJanuary 19
Governor Macquarie's Birthday - At Sunrise, on Monday the 19th Instant, the Royal Standard Is to be hoisted at Fort Phillip, and the Union at Dawes's Battery. At Twelve O'Clock at Noon a Royal Salute is to be fired from Dawes's Battery ; and the 48th Regiment, paraded under Arms in Hyde Park, will fire three Vollies in Honor of the Day. immediately on the Conclusion of the Royal Salute from the Battery. His Excellency the Governor will hold a Levee at the Government House, at One o'Clock on Monday the 19th Instant, for the Purpose of receiving the Congratulations of the Civil and Military Officers of Government, and of the other Gentlemen of the Colony, on this auspicious Day. The Deputy Commissary General will order the usual Donation of Half a Pint of Spirits, and an extra Ration of One Pound of Fresh Beef, to be issued to each effective Non-commissioned Officer and Soldier both at Head Quarters and the Out-stations ; and also an extra Ration of One Pound of Fresh Beef to each Mechanic and Labourer in the immediate Service of Government, from the King's Stores, in Honor of the Day.January 26
The first Australia Day celebrations heldFebruary
Vaccine against small pox imported from Mauritius. Innoculations to be available throughout the colonyMarch
Overland route from Sydney to Jervis Bay pioneered by Charles ThrosbyApril 1
Arrival of the convict ship GuildfordApril 5
Arrival of the convict ship BataviaApril 30
Arrival of Captain Francis Allman on the Minerva with 48th regiment. Also on board 160 convicts for Hobart.April - May
Benjamin Singleton explored route to the Hunter ValleyApril 30
Arrival of the Convict Ship Lady CastlereaghCramp arrived as passenger on the Lady Castlereagh and recorded some of his journeys. He described natives near Newcastle in 1818
April 30
Arrival of the convict ship MinervaMay 2
Government Order, Engineer's Office, 2nd May, 1818. On Monday next, the Government Working Hours will be altered from Six o'Clock to Eight, when the Bell will Ring every Morning at a Quarter before that Hour during the Winter Season ; and it is expected that every Man in Government Employ, will be at his Work precisely at Eight o'Clock, except on Saturday Mornings, when they are to attend at Daylight.May 5
Arrival of the convict ship Neptune The Neptune brought with her 170 convicts who had departed the Downs 20 December 1817 as well as 16 men who had escaped from New South Wales in the vessel Harriet and were apprehended at the Cape.May 28
Departure of John Oxley's Expedition to investigate the Macquarie River.They departed from Bathurst on 28 May 1818 with an exploration party that comprised Deputy Surveyor General George Evans, Oxley's friend Dr John Harris, a botanist named Charles Frazer, and twelve convict men
July 28
Tour of inspection of Newcastle by Governor MacquarieOn Monday last the 27th ult. His Excellency the Governor and Mrs. Macquarie and Staff, embarked on the government Brig Elizabeth Henrietta for the Settlement of Newcastle on Hunter's river The vessel got under weigh between 2 and 3 o'clock with a fair wind, which continuing equally favourable during the night, makes it probable that she would reach the place of her destination by 9 the next morning. His Excellency visited Newcastle in 1812 when in its infant state, and comparatively of little importance, being chiefly appropriated for the reception of convicts whose delinquencies here had rendered them liable to extraordinary punishments. It was also resorted to for supplies of lime, coal, and timber for the uses of Government. (Sydney Gazette 1 August 1818)
August
Macquarie Pier at Newcastlewas commenced in August 1818 when Captain Wallis was Commandant..There were no artisans appointed to superintend and direct its construction. The engineers at that time, and up to the time of the work ceasing, were subalterns of the 46th and 48th regiments, and totally ignorant of their duty - the mechanics and workmen generally, were under the orders of an old sergeant of the 46th regiment who was principal superintendent of public works and died at Newcastle. The overseers under him were two stonemasons, who, though good mechanics in their way, were totally unfit to carry such an important undertaking into effect. The work at the pier ceased entirely in the early part of the year 1823......read more in the Australian
One of the men who was sent to Newcastle to work on the pier was Samuel James Pilkington who arrived on the Lord Eldon in 1817