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| View of Frederick Town, King Georges Sound, at the expiration of the first year of its settlement Feby. 7th 1828 / N.D. and I.S.N. |
BY GEORGE FLETCHER MOORE, ESQ.
Written in September 1843.
1826.
In the month of December in this year, the first settlement of any part of the territory now included within the limits of this colony was formed by a party consisting of 52 persons under command of Major Lockyer, sent from Sydney, and placed at King George's Sound as a dependency of New South Wales.
1827.
Captain (now Sir James) Stirling, visited and examined Swan River and the neighbouring coast and country, upon whose report the British Government subsequently determined to found the colony of Western Australia.
1829.
Captain Fremantle of H.M.S. Challenger, took formal first possession of the territory of Western Australia in the name of His Most Gracious Majesty King George the Fourth by hoisting the British flag near the entrance of Swan River, where the town called from his name was afterwards founded.
June 1st. — The Parmelia transport ship arrived, having on board His Excellency Governor Stirling and several of the government officers. From this day the foundation of the colony of Western Australia takes its date.
8th. H. M. S. Sulphur arrived having on board a detachment of the 63rd. Regt. under the command of Captain (now Major) Irwin.
17th. The first public Proclamation issued, and the appointment of several public officers notified.
26th. A temporary dwelling erected for the Governor.
August 12th. — The ceremony of laying the foundation of the town of Perth on the anniversary of the birthday of His Most Gracious Majesty. In this month the Calista, the St. Leonard, and the Marquis of Anglesea arrived, being the first ships bringing out colonists, stock, and Merchandize.
September 19th and 21st. — Arrived the Thompson and Amity from Raffles Bay, which had been abandoned as a settlement.
27th. First assignment of lands on the lands on the Swan River to the settlers who had recently arrived.
October. — In this month arrived the Georgiana, Lotus, Euphemia, Orelia, Caroline, Cumberland, Attwick, Governor Philip, and Admiral Gifford, principally with settlers and stock.
November. — Arrived the Lion and Dragon.
December 5th. — Arrived H.M.S Success, Captain Jervoise, bound for India, having the venerable Archdeacon Scott on board as a passenger.
13th. Divine service performed for the first time, at government house by the Archdeacon.
15th. A temporary church commenced to be erected at Perth, in which divine service was performed on Christmas day. In this month arrived the Gilmore with Mr. Peel and 170 passengers.
State of the colony at the end of the year 1829, from official returns. Number of residents 850; non-residents 440; value of property giving claims to land £41,350. Lands actually assigned 525,000 acres. Locations actually effected 39. Number of cattle 204; of horses 57; of sheep 1096; of hogs 106. Number of ships which had arrived 25. Value of cargo left by ships during the year amounted to £50,248.
1830.
January. — The following ships arrived in this month, bringing settlers and stock and merchandize:— The Nancy, Skerne, Leda, Minstrel, Norfolk, Eagle, Lady of the Lake, Wanstead.
February. — The Hooghly, Egyptian, Thames, Thompson, Protector.
March. — The Warrior, Emily Taylor, Prince Regent, Bussorah Merchant.
April. — The James Patterson.
May. — The Britannia, Eliza, James, Rockingham, Orelia, Bombay.
July. — The Medina, Skerne.
August. — The Edward Lombe.
September. — The Thistle.
October. — The Cleopatra.
November. — The Orelia, Faith.
December. — The Nimrod.
The following is a summary of the principal events of the year, but as no newspaper was then published in the colony and no record kept which is now immediately available, it is impossible to give the dates with any precision.
Lands were assigned on the Helena and Canning Rivers.
Settlements were formed at Port Leschenault, at Augusta, and on the Blackwood in Flinder's Bay.
The Darling Range was crossed, and the Avon river and York district discovered by Ensign Dale of the 63rd. Regt. after repeated attempts and remarkable perseverance on the part of that gentleman.
Very heavy rains were experienced during the winter, and the Swan River rose to such a height as to cover several tents and temporary buildings, which were placed on some of the alluvial lands on its banks. The greatest flood occurred suddenly at night. Some had to force their way through the roofs of their houses and were rescued by means of boats. No similar instance of flood has occurred since that period.
Many cattle strayed into the bush and have gone wild.
The Natives began to be troublesome and committed many acts of outrage and plunder. The first shedding of blood was perpetrated by them in the wanton unprovoked murder of a Mr. MacKenzie, on the Murray river.
Entwistle was also barbarously butchered by Yagan and Midgegoroo.
Mr. Phillips and Ensign Dale were wounded, and much cattle, sheep, and pigs, precious as breeding stock in the infancy of the colony, were destroyed.
A few acres of wheat were reaped at harvest, which were grown principally in the Middle Swan district.
The colonists were computed at about 1,500.
39 Ships had arrived in the course of the year, which left cargo at Fremantle, to the amount of £144,177 and 1,125 passengers.
Sources:
- Brief Chronicle of the Principle Events Which Have Occurred, Connected With the Colony of Western Australia (1843, September 27). Inquirer (Perth, WA : 1840 - 1855), p. 4.
- View of Frederick Town, King Georges Sound, at the expiration of the first year of its settlement, Feby 7th 1828 / N.D. and I.S.N. (Attributed to Isaac Scott Nind. Nind wrote 'The general appearance of the country, although of a barren nature, is very picturesque. The hills behind the settlement are studded and capped by immense blocks of granite, and are strewed with a profusion of beautiful shrubs, among which the splendid Banksiae grow to a large size, and the Kingia and Xanthorrhoea or grass-tree are abundant'."); Courtesy Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales
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