The Rum Rebellion

John Oxley charts the Lachlan River

Oxley charts the Macquarie River.

Nelson was sent to England to be educated.

My Dear Nelson, I received your letter this morning and Capt. Johnston of the ship "Guildford" sails tomorrow morning for England. I take this opportunity to write by him; he has been on a visit at Prospect and leaves this morning for Sydney, he will see you on his arrival in England. I saw Mr Aspinall yesterday, he gave me your letters. I was happy to hear of him that you were well; your father is over the mountains. He has been away nine months shifting all his sheep and cattle to Mudgee. I expect him down next week. Your father has wrote three or four letters, John is writing one to you, William is over the mountains with his father. Your sisters sends their love to you . I see you have wrote for a watch. You can tell Mr Sloper to buy you one, that is a present from me, and in return send me your likeness by Capt. Johnston. When he returns to N.S.W. which will be in twelve months time. I have bought Rebecca a piano, who plays very well. Hannah and Sophia is learning. I hope my dear boy you will pay attention to your teacher; as the sooner you learn the sooner you will return to us. The baby died the day you sailed for England. All the family is well I hope this will find you the same; your father has given up the command at Bathurst and Mr Morrisett has got it, I assure you I am glad of it. I remain your affectionate mother. S.Lawson. (This letter shows that Sarah by this stage was able to read and write. )

A penal colony is founded at Moreton Bay, now the city of Brisbane.

New South Wales western border is extended to 129 degrees E. Van Diemen's Land is proclaimed.

Charles Sturt charts the Darling River.

The whole of Australia is claimed as British territory. The settlement of Perth is founded. Swan River Colony is declared by Charles Fremantle for Britain.

Sturt arrives at Goolwa, having charted the Murray River.

Sydney Herald (later to become The Sydney Morning Herald) first published.

Swan River Colony has its name changed to Western Australia.

The penal settlement of Port Arthur is founded in Van Diemen's Land.

John Batman and John Pascoe Fawkner establish a settlement at Port Phillip, now the city of Melbourne.

William Lawson purchased the 75-acre farm that had been granted to Lt William Cummings on 12 November 1799. On 10 November 1836, Lawson conveyed the property to his son Nelson, who soon after commenced to build Grey Stanes. Nelson died on 3 February 1849 and his widow (second wife, Sarah Ann, nee Kirk), in February 1854 married Jeremiah Frederick Downes. The Downes stayed at Grey Stanes until 1859, when they moved to Brownlow Hill, Camden, as managers and later as owners. From 4 January 1860 to 10 October 1865 Grey Stanes was owned by Nelson’s brother William, and later by his widow, Caroline. On 4 September 1868, it was purchased by Walter Lamb, later of Woodstock, Rooty Hill and founder of the fruit canning industry at Plumpton.

Province of South Australia proclaimed with its western border at 132 degrees E.

First Prussian settlers arrive in South Australia; the largest group on non-British migrants in Australia at the time.

Paul Edmund Strzelecki becomes first European to ascend and name Australia's highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko.

Australia's first municipal authority, the City of Adelaide, is established, followed by Sydney City Council.

New Zealand is proclaimed as a separate colony, no longer part of New South Wales.

Copper is discovered at Kapunda in South Australia.

Australia's first parliamentary elections held for the New South Wales Legislative Council (though voting rights are restricted to males of certain wealth or property).

The ship Cataraqui is wrecked off King Island in Bass Strait. It is Australia's worst civil maritime disaster, with 406 lives lost.