Free Settler or Felon
Convict and Colonial History




Colonial Events 1801




January

Loss of crops and stock over the previous four months due to floods at Hawkesbury.

January

Muster (Census) taken.


February

John Murray transferred from the Porpoise to the Lady Nelson.


February

Ticket of leave system introduced by Governor King


February 21

Arrival of convict ship Anne from Cork. Hunter Valley Bushranger John Fitzgerald convict arrived on the Anne


March 2

Flood at the Hawkesbury


March

Survey of coast near Western Port by Lieutenant James Grant.


April 13

Charles Grimes appointed Acting Surveyor General of N.S.W


June 4

In 1801 Governor King was presented with a silver snuff box by Lieut. James Grant - 'The oval box is engraved with the initials 'PGK'. The underside of the lid is inscribed: 'Lt. Grant to Governor King June 4 1801'. This was probably presented on the occasion of the departure of Lieut. Grant on the famous exploratory expedition to the Hunter River on the Lady Nelson in June 1801

Governor King's Snuff BoxGovernor King's snuff box
- National Museum of Australia


June 9

Memorandum to Colonel Paterson and Lieutenant Grant from Governor King regarding information to be collected at Hunter River

The expedition to Hunter River included Lieut-Colonel Paterson, Lieut. James Grant, J. Murray, R.N., Ensign Barralier, George Cayley and Dr. John Harris. After the Francis returned to Sydney with a small cargo of coal, artist John William Lewin joined the expedition.


June 12

Arrival of convict ship Earl Cornwallis from England under Master James Tennent master. Surgeon John Dight


June 14

Lieutenant Grant and John Harris disembarked at Coal Island (Nobbys) and raised the new Union on top of the island


June 15

Lady Nelson taken round Pirate Point to the small bay with fresh water named by Colonel Paterson Freshwater Bay.


June

James Grant and Colonel Paterson examined Ash Island


June 19

Colonel Paterson sights natives in the distance at Hunter River


June 22

Francis Barralier and Mr. Grant sound the entrance to the Hunter river


25 June

Description of coal at Newcastle written by Lieutenant-Colonel Paterson to Governor King, 25 June 1801


June 29

Colonel William Paterson, John Harris and Mr. Lewin take excursion of seven days using launch and small boat belonging to Mr. Harris


June 30

Exploration party proceed about 14 miles up Hunter river


July 1

Colonel Paterson's party arrive at Schank's Plains (Maitland)


July 9

Heavy showers at Hunter River.


July

Settlement established at Coal River (Newcastle) under Corporal John Wixtead . - Early Convict Coal Miners


July 18

Departure from Portsmouth of Matthew Flinders in the Investigator (formerly Zenophon). Under the recommendation of Sir Joseph Banks, the Investigator was said to admirably fitted out and manned with specially selected men who were distinguished by a glazed hat decorated with a globe and the name of the ship in letters of gold. (Ipswich Journal 27 June 1801).

Robert Brown was appointed botanist on the Investigator by Sir Joseph Banks


August 17

Female orphan School established in the former residence of Lieut. Kent, George St. Sydney. Formally opened on this day.


September 14

Duel between John Macarthur and Colonel William Paterson


September 20

Fustic had been discovered at the Hunter River. In September 1801 Governor King issued an order prohibiting any trees of that kind to be cut down without written permission of government. King sent samples to the Duke of Portland stating that although the trees were small they appeared to yield excellent dye. Samples were also sent to Sir Joseph Banks, however it was very cheap to obtain from the West Indies and it was doubted whether there was any commercial potential from the Hunter River fustic. (Fustic produced a very fine yellow dye)


September

Return to England on the Hunter, of John Macarthur


October 4

Departure of Earl Cornwallis, Capt. Tennent for Bengal


November

Departure from the Colony of Lieutenant James Grant.


December

Blankets made at Parramatta gaol from locally produced wool.


December 14

Arrival of the convict ship Minorca - James Hardy Vaux and surgeon William Redfern convicts on board


December 14

Arrival of the convict ship Canada. Master William Wilkinson. Surgeon John Kelly


December 14

Arrival of convict ship Nile. Master James Sunter. Convict Margaret Catchpole arrived on the Nile.