Annandale on the Web

Anecdotal History of Annandale

Cook Claim's New South Wales

From Cook's, HMS Endeavour Journal [manuscript],22nd August 1770:

"before and after we landed Anchor'd we saw a number of People upon this Island arm'd in the same - manner as all the others we have seen except one man who had a bow and a bundle of Arrows the first we have seen on this coast. from the appearence of these People we expected they would have opposed our landing but as we approached the Shore they all made off and left us in peaceable posession of as much of the Island as served our purpose."

"Between 7 and 8 oClock in the Morning we saw several naked people, all or most of them women, down upon the beach picking up Shells, &Ca they had not a single rag of any kind of Cloathing upon them and both these and those we saw yesterday were in every respect the Same sort of people we have seen every where upon the Coast; two or three of the Men we saw Yesterday had on pretty large breast plates which we supposed were made of Pearl Oysters Shells this was a thing as well as the Bow and Arrows we had not seen before —"

Notwithstand I had in the Name of his Majesty taken posession of several places upon this coast I now once more hoisted English Coulers and in the Name of His Majesty King George the Third took posession of the whole Eastern Coast from the above Latitude down to this place by the Name of New South Wales together with all the Bays, Harbours Rivers and Islands situate upon the same said coast after which we fired three Volleys of small Arms which were Answerd by the like number by from the Ship this done we set out for the Ship

1788-1876 First Fleet, Forestry & Farming

The arrival of the First Fleet, saw the aggressive dispossession of land, and the introduction of diseases, such as small pox. Within 18 months the Gadigal clan' numbers had been decimated.

Transactions of the Colony, from the Commencement of the Year 1789, until the End of March.
Pursuant to his resolution, the governor on the 31st of December sent two boats, under the command of Lieutenant Ball of the 'Supply', and Lieutenant George Johnston of the marines, down the harbour, with directions to those officers to seize and carry off some of the natives. The boats proceeded to Manly Cove, where several Indians were seen standing on the beach, who were enticed by courteous behaviour and a few presents to enter into conversation....freeread.com.au/ebooks/e00084.txt

First Fleet Art Collection (Natural history, Ethnography, Topography, History)

In 1793, the land between the two Creeks and Harbour, was given to George Johnston, a Marine who had supervised the transportation of convicts on the Lady Penrhyn in the First Fleet. George re-named the area Annandale after his birthplace Annan, Scotland, in the tradition of another Scottish emigre. A century earlier, Col. William H. Fitzhugh had named Annandale, Virginia, USA.

Enroute to Australia, Johnston met Esther Abrahams, one of the convicts he was supervising.

The Rum Rebellion

By 1800 Johnston was commanding officer of the NSW Corps. When Bligh threatened six of his officers with treason, Johnston responded by leading the Rum Rebellion against Bligh who "needed to be removed from office for his own safety and for the good of the Colony"....www.sl.nsw.gov.au

On the 26 January 1808, Lieutenant Colonel George Johnston arrested Governor Bligh and assumed Lieutenant Governorship. He administered the colony until 28 July 1808 - records.nsw.gov.au

Painting of The arrest of Governor Bligh, 1808 (Govt. Printing Office, Sydney, artist unknown)

"The public peace being happily, and I trust in almighty God, permanently established, I hereby proclaim the cessation of martial law." Proclamation issued by Major George Johnston on the day after the deposition of Governor William Bligh, proclaiming the cessation of martial law in the colony, dated from Head Quarters, Sydney, Jan, 27, 1808." - nla.gov.au

The ‘Rum Rebellion’ – a title later conferred on the event by Governor Thomas Brisbane; referred to as the ‘Insurrection’ by contemporaries – was an overthrow of the government, a mutiny against Governor William Bligh’s imperially sanctioned authority. It was not a rebellion over rum nor a popular rebellion by the people, but a forceful removal of a governor from office by sections of the colonial elite and the military. - www.hht.net.au

Camperdown, from the Eastern bank of Johnston's Creek to Parramatta road was granted to William Bligh by Governor King on August 10, 1806. In his 1858 Social Map of Sydney, William Stanley Jevons observed
There is not a single residence in Camperdown of the first social rank; the majority are of the second with a large sprinkling of the third. Many of the dwellings are mere log huts sufficiently squalid in their appce. There is a corresponding number of the inhabitants of low character. A few manufacturing trades such as brick & earthenware making, Cart making etc. are carried on in Camperdown or the immediate neighbourhood. Pig feeding or offal from the slaughterhouses orange-packing or trading in horses & cattle are also among the employment of the place. which in turn proved to depend on the passing traffic. There are several public houses, of some a certain age, & some dozen shops; it is noticeable that of six public houses within a quarter of a mile of each other in Camperdown, three are closed & deserted. It is a place where sly-grog selling could easily be carried on.

Ester Abrahams

'Two hundred and seventeen years ago tomorrow, a 16-year-old girl, Esther Abrahams, was arrested in London for "feloniously stealing 24 yards of black silk lace, value 50 shillings".' - Online transcripts illuminate world of First Fleeters (July 26 2003)

"Yesterday morning a Native from Botany Bay brought an account of a large ship having anchored there: As the wind was fair for her getting into this Port, the reasons for her going into Botany Bay could be in no other way ac- counted for than the probability of its being some ship with hostile intentions... Major JOHNSTON immediately set off to reconnoitre..she was the ship Mary of Boston.. bound to Manilla" - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (about) Sunday 22 January 1804

The turpentine and iron bark forest was cleared, to make way for agriculture and, any remnants of the original vegetation, were subsequently wiped out by urbanisation. The Rozelle Bay Community Native nursery is now undertaking projects to recreate pockets of original forest in public spaces.

George and Esther developed their estate to eventually include a bakery, smithy, slaughterhouse, butchery, stores, vineyard and orangerie. In 1799 they built Annandale House south west of the present intersection, of Parramatta Road and Johnston St.

Family Notices - BIRTH. On the 6th instant, at Annandale, the lady of Lieutenaut JOHNSTON, R. N. of a son and heir. - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803-1842) and The Sydney Herald Thursday 7 November 1833

THE BALMAIN ESTATE...[Later Subdivision of Toxteth Estate (Glebe Point), Pyrmont and Ultimo]

"The entire extent of the present division consists in the whole of nearly three hundred and fifty lots, situated on the westside of Darling Harbour, and on the north east side of a roma... inlet known as Johnson's Bay, being in continuation with the point previously sold, and offering (though to a different class of residents) advantages quite commensurate with the prior lots, being nearer to Sydney by the road. and as easily reached by water. To those unacquainted with the locality, it may be necessary to state that the, present allotments are surrounded and bounded by the propeties of some of our most respected and wealthy colonists, among whom may be enu merutad those of James Norton, Esq , of Elswick; Captain Perry. Deputy Surveyor General ; Robert Johnston Esq , Annandale; James Bowman, Esq, Lyndhurst, George Cooper, Esq , Controller of Customs, &c possessing scenery of the most var¡ed and interesting description, with an abundant supply of excellent water, and in many parts the soil is eminently adapted for horticultural purposes, and there are now several places which have been cultivated as gardens The ground is gently undulating in every part, and possesses abundance of excellent stone fur building purposes; several rivulets intersect it in various directions, and there is good landing for boats in every situation that the water touches" - The Sydney Herald (NSW : 1831-1842) (about) Thursday 20 July 1837

"about 63 feet, on the north by "Rozelle Bay," and on the east by lot 14 On this is a site for building, and with lot 11 would form a good allotment-the view is excellent." - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser Tuesday 5 May 1840

John M'Longhlen, a labouring man, on Mon- day night last gave, information at the Police Oriice of his having about seven the same evening been knocked down by four r'uthans between Gross Farm and Annandale - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser Saturday 8 October 1814

Government Gazette...Great Western Road. At Annandale, Beckett's Bridge, Pitt Bow - The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser Thursday 5 December 1861 (page 3)

Death of George Johnston Jnr Esq - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803-1842) Saturday 26 February 1820

"Election of Scotch Peers....A protest from Mr Gooding Johnstone requested it be entered on the minutes that he claimed a right to vote as Marquis of Annandale" - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803-1842) Thursday 13 October 1831

"List of Transfers of Male Convicts, made between October 1st, and December 31st. 1834.... Macquarie, 1 farrier Johnson John, Darlington, 1 ploughman Johnson Robert, Annandale," -The Sydney Gazette and... Saturday 6 June 1835

"Market. Friday Oct 26 - The supply this mornng was very good, and the demand was pretty equal to it.... On Wednesday morning, R. Johnson, Esq. J.P. of annandale, called at Dr Bland's residence in Pitt street leaving his gig which it was the duty of his servnt to have attended during his absence in his charge. He had not been in many minutes when the horse which was very shy bolted at full speed, the consequence was that the vehicle was capsized and much damaged..."- The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803-1842) Saturday 29 October 1836

Tender to lease the Annandale Toll Gate: The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842-1954) Tuesday 20 September 1842

"dues authorised and imposed by the Act of the Governor and Council... arising and to be collected at the Sydney Toll Gate, near Annandale Bridge, an the road from Sydney to Parramatta..."The Sydney Herald Wednesday 3 March 1841

"Alderman allen proposed, and Mr Lt Johnston of Annandale seconded, the nomination of Mr Thomas burdekin as a fit and proper person to be a member of the Sydney District Council"- thought to be in "The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842-1954) Wednesday 8 May 1844" (NLA)

"..bounded by that invaluable stream...dividing it from Annandale called JOHNSTONE'S CREEK" - The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842-1954) Friday 2 June 1843

"Corporation Song: Australia the Wide and the Free" - The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842-1954) Thursday 22 December 1842

"ten minutes you reach the Sydney Road coming out a little beyond Captain Johnston's of Annandale and close to the residence of Mr Abraham Hearn, Parramatta Road. Fifteen minutes more brings you into Sydney accomplishing the distance by way of Bourke Town from the North Shore..." - The Sydney Gazette (Classified Advertising) Tuesday 25 August 1840

Johnston's orbituary noted "..As Lieutenant' Colonel of the 102d Regiment (New South Wales Corps) his name will be handed down to posterity, blended with that of Australia ; having assumed the reigns of administration, for a short interval, during the memorable colonial inter-regnum. A large family remain to deplore a fond Parent's deprivation.- The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (about) Thursday 9 January 1823. Ther inter-regnum referred to was the 1808 Rum Rebellion.

By Special Licence, on Thursday last, at St. James's, Church, by the Venerable the ARCHDEACON, GEORGE EDWARD NICHOLAS WESTON, Lieutenant in the Hon. East India Company's Service, to BLANCHE, youngest daughter of the late GEORGE JOHNSTONE Esq, of Annandale - The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser Saturday 23 May 1829

By 1830, James Busby was praising 'Annandale Farm' is praised for its fine vineyard "A Manual of Plain Direction for Planting and Cultivating Vineyards and the Making of Wine in New South Wales". -Historical Timeline:Wine and Grape History in the Sydney Region

Annandale House was demolished in 1914. The gates, to the property, have been installed in the grounds of Annandale Public School. There are also photographs of Annandale House in Picture Australia.

MEGATHON AT ANNANDALE.-An experiment was publicly made yesterday with the Megathon, on the estate of Mr. Johnson, at Annandale, forthe purpose of testing the adaptabiliiy of the machine as a motive power in the operation of ploughing. His Excellency the Governor General, the honorable E. Deas Thomson, Captain Ward, R.E, and a number of gentlemen con-nected with the agricultural interest were present. The ploughing experiment..The Moreton Bay Courier Saturday 9 May 1857

On Monday, Messrs. M-irt and Co. sold farther allotments in the village of Sydenham opposite to Elswick, and adjoining Annandale. This being the site of the second railway Station from Syd-ney, the value of the land has materially in-creased. For the front allotments from £3 to £ 5 10s per foot was obtained ; for back allot-ments £1 to £2 ... The result of the sale' Was about £4000. Yesterday the firm sold The Maitland Mercury, and Hunter River General Advertiser Saturday 21 October 1854

Annan Grove Cottage

This 1843 map of the Johnston Estate shows two cottages and what appears to be the Annan Grove property.

Annan Grove, was a one acre property on the Northern side of Parramatta Road (Photo pg 160, Marine officer, convict wife).

On the 18th instant, at Annan Grove Cottage, Petersham, EMILY MARIA MOSMAN, of diphtheria, aged 7 and a half years. - 1867 'Family Notices.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 20 July, p. 1, viewed 23 January, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13164089

FUNERAL.-The Friends of the late Mr. ARCHIBALD MOSMAN are respectfully invited to attend the funeral of his late deceased daughter, EMILY MARIA ; to move from Annan Grove Cottage, Petersham, TOMORROW (Sunday) AFTERNOON, at 2 o'clock precisily. 1867 'Advertising.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 20 July, p. 12, viewed 23 January, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13164133

Births....On the 21st Instant, at Annan Grove, Petersham, the wife of AH Palmer of Herston, Brisbane, a son. 1868 'Family Notices.', Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1875), 24 April, p. 1, viewed 23 January, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60852594

STOLEN or Strayed, from Annan Grove, Petersham, on the evening of Thursday, the 5th instant, a large, well bred red and white Milch COW. If stolen, a reward of-£2 will be paid on recovery of the cow and conviction of the thief; and if strayed, ten Shillings will be paid on her delivery to Mrs. MOSMAN, at Petersham. - 1865 'Advertising.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 7 October, p. 12, viewed 23 January, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13120056

£1 Reward - LOST from Annan Grove, Petersham Red Kangaroo DOG AT Mosman, Petersham - 1865 'Advertising.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 21 June, p. 16, viewed 23 January, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13114834

An 1872 proposal to relocate the local Post Office, to the Leichhardt Municipality, met opposition from H Mosman of Annan Grove...more

Deaths. BAKER.-July 18, at Annan Grove, Petersham, near Sydney, Bernice Byron, the wife of the Hon. E. A. Baker, M.P., aged 54 years. - 1879 'Family Notices.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 22 July, p. 1, viewed 23 January, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13439037

Deaths...DEANE.-May 12, at Annan Grove, Annandale, Mabel, infant daughter of Robert and Henrietta Deane, aged 8 months. - 1876 'Family Notices.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 15 May, p. 1, viewed 23 January, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13373784

Annandale Cottage

This 1843 map of the Johnston Estate shows two cottages and what appears to be the Annan Grove property.

Birth.
On Sunday, the 17th instant, at Annandale Cottage, the lady of Thomas Collins, Esq., of a daughter. - 1836 'Family Notices.', The Sydney Herald (NSW : 1831 - 1842), 21 January, p. 2, viewed 24 January, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12853756

MARRIED. On the 26th instant, at Newtown Church, by the Rev. T. Steele, M.A., John Clode, Esq., merchant, of Gordon-place, London, to Sarah, eldest daughter of Lawrence Potts, Esq., of Annandale Cottage, and late of Sheffield. -1841 'Family Notices.', Australasian Chronicle (Sydney, NSW : 1839 - 1843), 29 June, p. 3, viewed 24 January, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31732149

ANNANDALE COTTAGE TO LET, three mile on the Parramatta Road a portion of the furniture may be taken at a valuation. Apply to Mr. Potts, Jamison-street or at the cottage, which may be seen on application. 1299 -1843 'Advertising.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 25 January, p. 3, viewed 24 January, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12419174

BIRTHS. At Annandale Cottage, Parramatta-road, on the 13th instant, Mrs. John Gordon of a daughter. -1846 'Family Notices.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 16 February, p. 2, viewed 24 January, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12885315

Mr. MORT.-At Annandale Cottage, Parramatta Road, at 11 o'clock, Household Furniture, Pianoforte, &c. 1847 'ABSTRACT OF SALES BY AUCTION, THIS DAY.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 27 July, p. 2, viewed 24 January, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12894039

TO LET, with immediate possession
Annandale Cottage, late in the occupation of John Gordon, Esq., it has every accommodation for a respectable family. Apply to ROBBERT JOHNSTON, Esq , Annandale. August 5. 2113 - 1847 'Advertising.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 9 August, p. 3, viewed 24 January, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12890944

At the age of 18 he [William Stanley Jevons] was appointed assayer to the then new Mint and on the 29th of June 1854 he sailed for Sydney in the Oliver Lang. For nearly two years he re mained in this part of tho world. While in Sydney he lived on Church Hill and afterwards at Annandale Cottage, at Petersham, on the Parramatta Road. - 1886 'THE TANTALUS ROUND TABLE.', The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), 23 November, p. 2, viewed 31 January, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4486566

BIRTH. November 1st, at her residence, Annandale Cottage, Petersham, Mrs. Ardnam, of a daughter. -1859 'Family Notices.', Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1875), 4 November, p. 1, viewed 31 January, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64092384

When about 19 years of-age he obtained the appointment, of assayer to tho Mint then newly formed in Sydney,.. He arrived, in due time, and began to discharge the duties of his office. The following letter dated Petersham, November 29, 1855, shows that he was busy in assaying, but at the same time strongly inclined to his favorite amusement, music.
The Mint goes on swimmingly now, 20,000oz being an ordinary week's recèipt. Nevertheloss I cannot say we are overworked, for we get to do the assays very quickly, and often do not work longer than from 10 to 8. Still, when you add in everything that I have to do, it does not turn out to be a very easy life.
On the whole, however, I may say that we are getting on at Petersham better than ever we did before/and there is nothing like an active life to be pleasant. (LETTERS AND JOURNALS of W. STANLEY JEVONS. Edited by his wife. Macmillan and Co.,London.) - 1886 'THE ROYAL SOCIETY.—ANNUAL ADDRESS.', Australian Town and Country Journal (NSW : 1870 - 1907), 24 July, p. 28, viewed 31 January, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71065646

More Information

• Titled in pencil 'Johnston's Estate, Annandale' below signature Note in pencil on second sheet along lower edge of view 'finished Wednesday 18 April 77'...Johnston's Estate, Annandale, 1877 / Samuel Elyard
• Convict women in Port Jackson
• Leichhardt Libraries - Local History, Annandale - From model farm to "working man's suburb"
• Annandale a Discovery in Progress:Annandale Peninsula - the land

This page www.ramin.com.au/annandale/story2.shtml last Updated: 31 January 2012.