George Muir - Chief Constable and Settler
Map 2
George Muir arrived on the Jupiter in 1823 accompanied by his wife Elizabeth nee Cantwell and four young daughters - Elizabeth 13, Mary Ann 16, Francis 9 and Pricilla 7. Another two children were born in the colony - James Richard and Rebecca.
Chief Constable at Newcastle
George Muir was about 40 years old when he was appointed Chief Constable at Newcastle in 1825.While in Newcastle George Muir rented 300 acres of land belonging to John Laurio Platt a few miles out of town. He, or perhaps his wife, also ran a store during this time.
East Maitland
He held the license for the Union Inn at East Maitland in the years 1829 - 32. This Inn was owned by Alexander McLeod and later sold to Henry and William Dumaresq. Elizabeth Muir ran the Inn until 1830 when George Muir resigned from the position of chief constable at Newcastle.George Muir was granted 640 acres in July 1831 which can be seen in the lower right of the map below.
Death
He was appointed postmaster at Maitland in 1833 however passed away on Christmas Day 1833 after a severe illness. Elizabeth was left with six children to raise.Elizabeth Muir
Elizabeth Muir took out the license for the Family Hotel in East Maitland in 1834.The last year she held the license for the Family Hotel was 1846 when it was transferred to Henry Eckford who changed the name to the Woolteam Inn.
Family Connections
George and Elizabeth Muir's daughter Pricilla married Henry Turner Harrington an ex-convict and medical practitioner. Daughter Elizabeth married William Eckford, son of harbour pilot William Eckford and Mary Ann married George FurberAssigned Convicts
Select here to find some of the convicts assigned to George Muir and some of the Court Cases he was involved in in his capacity as Chief Constable.↑