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Castle Hill convict rebellion

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46-635: The Castle Hill convict rebellion was an 1804 convict rebellion in the Castle Hill area of Sydney , against the colonial authorities of the British colony of New South Wales . Led by veterans of the United Irish Rebellion of 1798 , the poorly armed insurgents confronted the colonial forces of Australia on 5 March 1804 at Rouse Hill . Their rout in the resulting skirmish was hailed by loyalists as Australia's Vinegar Hill after

92-491: A Roman Catholic priest, Father James Dixon , to appeal to them. He then rode up himself, and got their agreement to hear Father Dixon again. Meanwhile, the pursuing forces had closed in and Major Johnston, with Trooper Thomas Anlezark, from the Governor's Body Guard of Light Horse , approached them again to parley , calling the leaders Cunningham and William Johnston down from the hill. Demanding their surrender, he received

138-545: A building to signal other conspirators to begin converging on Constitution Hill. Cunningham, being involved in two previous rebellions, as well as the mutiny on the Anne , knew from experience that the most important element of a rebellion or uprising would be secrecy. There were two defections: an Irish convict overseer named Sloane, and Lewis Bulger. The commandant at Parramatta, Captain Edward Abbott, who had warning of

184-458: A good social standing despite John's many controversial actions in the following years. However, Governor Phillip was the only governor she associated with, as her husband's business activities and actions later were "too controversial for any governor to seek the company of the Macarthur family". She had to travel to London leaving her family behind. Elizabeth's work centred on her family,

230-470: A number of convicts along the way. Those later giving evidence stated they were press-ganged into service in hope of lessening their punishment. During that phase, the rebels obtained around a third of the colony's entire armaments. Their numbers had dwindled to several hundred, eventually totalling around 233, according to the Government controlled newspaper of the time. While at Constitution Hill during

276-483: A subaltern, Davies, which was sent along the Castle Hill Road. Meanwhile, the rebels at Constitution Hill (Toongabbie) were having difficulty co-ordinating their force because several parties, including one of around 70 men under Samuel Humes, had lost their way in the night. Cunningham and Johnston began drilling their men, while a party unsuccessfully tried to enter Parramatta, where they were to set fire to

322-481: Is named in her honour. It is the largest Centre of Excellence operated by New South Wales Department of Primary Industries , employing 200 scientists and located at Camden Park . Elizabeth Macarthur is commemorated on the 1995 Australian five-dollar coin which was struck for inclusion in a special Masterpieces in Silver collector proof set entitled Colonial Australia. One of Elizabeth's accounting books refers to

368-419: Is not known whether some or all of them were sent to Coal River. Of the remaining rebels (approximately 150), some were put on good behaviour orders, in default being sent to Norfolk Island , while the majority were pardoned and allowed to return to their places of employment, it having been adjudged that they were coerced into the uprising. Cunningham, badly wounded but still alive, was court-martialled under

414-480: The Hawkesbury River area, rally at Constitution Hill , and march on Parramatta and then Sydney Port Jackson itself. According to Helen Mackay, their goal was to establish Irish rule in the colony and obtain ships for those that wanted to return to Ireland to help revive the failed Irish Rebellion of 1803 . At 8 o'clock on the evening of 4 March 1804, John Cavenah set fire to his hut at Castle Hill as

460-657: The New South Wales Corps , to the recently established colony of New South Wales , travelling on the Second Fleet . Elizabeth was the first soldier's wife to arrive in New South Wales. Being educated, articulate, and well-read, her letters provide an important record of the infant convict town of Sydney and colonial life. She was an amateur astronomer and botanist and enjoyed a privileged position in society where she "held court amongst officers of

506-472: The Rum Rebellion of January 1808, and then because he refused to accept the terms for his return to New South Wales which were that he admits his wrongdoing and promise to be of good behaviour. During these periods, Elizabeth oversaw the family estates at Parramatta, Camden , Seven Hills, and Pennant Hills. This included the management of household and business accounts, the employment of convict labor,

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552-572: The 1798 Irish Battle of Vinegar Hill , where rebels in Ireland were decisively defeated. The incident was the first major convict uprising in Australian history to be suppressed under martial law . On 4 March 1804, 233 convicts, led by Philip Cunningham, a veteran of the 1798 rebellion, as well as a mutineer on the convict transport ship Anne , escaped from a prison farm, intent on "capturing ships to sail to Ireland". In response, martial law

598-511: The 4 miles (6.4 km) march to Toongabbie. Initially, it was believed that the rebels were at Toongabbie, but on his arrival, Johnston was informed that they had moved to Constitution Hill. A small party under a corporal was sent to outflank that position, while an assault force of around a dozen men advanced on the summit, only to find it abandoned, with the rebels having moved off towards the Hawkesbury, about 17 miles (27 km) away. As

644-899: The Australian wool industry while Elizabeth used her organizational ability and application to produce the wool. During her husband's insanity and after his death in 1834, she continued to run the enterprises with great success until her death in 1850. From nine pregnancies, seven children survived childhood. Her sons, Edward (1789–1872), James (1793-1794), John (1794-1831), James (1798-1867) and William (1800-1882), made worthy contributions to colonial governance, agriculture, politics and trade. Her eldest daughter Elizabeth (1792-1842) remained unmarried, despite at least two 'offers' declined by her parents. Her younger daughters Mary (Mrs Bowman, b.1795) and Emmeline (b.1808) married into colonial families. Sir Edward Macarthur (1789–1872) married Sarah (née Neil) in 1862, and they died childless. The bulk of

690-606: The Barracks at Sydney. Afterwards they planned to live on settlers farms, until they heard from France, where they had intended to dispatch a ship. Early in 1804, after news arrived of Robert Emmet's attempted rising in Dublin the previous July, a similar conspiracy formed. Phillip Cunningham, a veteran of the rebellion of 1798, and William Johnston, another Irish convict at Castle Hill, planned an uprising. Over 685 Castle Hill convicts intended to join with nearly 1,100 convicts from

736-495: The Government and its informers vigilant, with military call-out rehearsals continuing over the next three years. Governor King remained convinced that the inspirers of revolt had kept out of sight, and had some suspects sent to Norfolk Island as a preventive measure. The battle site is believed to be to the east of the site of the Rouse Hill Estate , and it is likely that Richard Rouse , a staunch establishment figure,

782-526: The Loyal Volunteers, Cunningham had no recourse but to withdraw west towards the Hawkesbury, hoping to add to his forces by picking up more recruits and to meet his missing forces on the way. Knowing that going forward would only see more death and a possible routing, the rebels quickly moved westward, hoping to join up with those now heading east from Green Hills (Windsor) in the area of today's Rouse Hill and Kellyville , recruiting or impressing

828-481: The Macarthur estate, through the brothers William, James and Edward, passed to James' only child, daughter Elizabeth (1840-1911), who in 1867 married Arthur Onslow (1833–1882). In 1892, after Arthur's death, Elizabeth changed the family name to Macarthur-Onslow. She and Arthur had six children, including James Macarthur-Onslow (1867–1946), George Macarthur-Onslow (1875–1931) and Arthur Macarthur-Onslow (1879–1938). The Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute

874-566: The Mansfield doctrine of posse comitatus . King's proclamation of martial law applied to a wide area, extending from Castle Hill to the Hawkesbury and Nepean areas, and empowered citizens in the area to detain those who lacked the appropriate passes. A curfew had also been enacted and an amnesty declared, which gave those who were involved 24 hours to surrender. On Johnston's arrival at Parramatta, King delivered his orders to Johnston in writing, and then verbally to his small detachment. Johnston

920-531: The New South Wales Corps, naval officers and members of the colonial administration". John was made Commandant at Parramatta and received land grants in 1793 near there, at Rosehill, naming his property Elizabeth Farm after his wife. John became paymaster to the New South Wales Corps and director of public works. Elizabeth's respectability and charm were in contrast to her husband's disputatious nature and meant that she and her children retained

966-495: The Parramatta area. After fruitlessly waiting for a signal of a successful takeover of Parramatta, and with the non-appearance of reinforcements, Cunningham was forced to withdraw from Parramatta to Toongabbie to re-assess his strategy. Having already declared his hand and therefore deprived of surprise, as well as facing a superior and well disciplined detachment of the New South Wales Corps and enthusiastic militia force from

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1012-806: The battle was erected at Castlebrook Memorial Park, on Windsor Road, Rouse Hill. It was dedicated in March 1988. It was also dramatised in the radio play Castle Hill . Convicts in Australia Too Many Requests If you report this error to the Wikimedia System Administrators, please include the details below. Request from 172.68.168.226 via cp1108 cp1108, Varnish XID 197838801 Upstream caches: cp1108 int Error: 429, Too Many Requests at Thu, 28 Nov 2024 05:39:15 GMT Elizabeth Macarthur Elizabeth Macarthur (14 August 1766 – 9 February 1850)

1058-511: The education of her children, and the management of a modest household. Elizabeth died in 1850, having first been estranged from her husband as his melancholia and paranoia deepened, and then surviving him by 16 years. She was an Anglican . Between 1801 and 1805, John was living in England, where he had been sent for court-martial after wounding his superior officer in a duel, and again from 1808 to 1817, avoiding an arrest warrant for his role in

1104-416: The ensuing pursuit of the rebels, which continued until late in the night, with newly arrived soldiers from Sydney joining in the search. It was reported that gun shots could be heard up to a fortnight later, such was the settling of old scores. On Wednesday, 7 March, Governor King announced that those who surrendered before 10 March would receive leniency and, following that, large parties who lost their way in

1150-586: The martial law decree, and hanged at the Commissariat Store at Windsor, which he had bragged he would burn down. Initially, military officers were intent on hanging a token number of those captured, having convened a military court at the Whipping Green but that was quickly stopped by Governor King, fearful of the repercussions. Martial law was lifted on 10 March 1804, but that did not end the insurgency. Irish plots continued to develop, keeping

1196-488: The morning progressed, the heat of the day threatened to stymie the efforts of the marching troops who were poorly equipped for the pursuit. About 6 miles (9.7 km) from Toongabbie, Johnston located the main rebel party of around 230 to 260 men near Rouse Hill, Johnston first sent a mounted trooper on to call the rebels to give up and benefit from the Governor's amnesty for early surrender. That having failed, he dispatched

1242-541: The news of the uprising, Governor King set off alone for Parramatta to assume command, while Colonel William Paterson , the lieutenant governor, called out the guard. One hundred and forty men from HMS Calcutta , as well as the Sydney Loyal Association militia, took over guard duties, and a New South Wales Corps contingent of 56 personnel, including Lieutenant William Davies and Quartermaster Sergeant Thomas Laycock, were dispatched to march through

1288-409: The night to bolster the garrison at Parramatta. Meanwhile, the provost marshal, Thomas Smyth, was sent ahead to contact Major George Johnston at Annandale. The troops from Sydney arrived at 1:30 am and, after a quick inspection, an advanced guard was sent to the west of the town. Johnston arrived at Government House in Parramatta about four hours later, not long after King had declared martial law under

1334-491: The night turned themselves in under the amnesty, or made their way back to Castle Hill, where a large party of about 70, led by Samuel Humes, was captured by a detachment of the Loyal Parramatta Association. According to the official records of the day, around 230 people were brought in over next few days and, of the convicts directly engaged in the battle, 15 were killed. Nine were executed, including

1380-414: The prison town. Less than 20 hectares (49 acres) has remained undeveloped and conserved, as Castle Hill Heritage Park , established in 2004. There is a sculpture near the battle site at Castlebrook Cemetery commemorating the sacrifice. There is some debate as to where the battle actually occurred. The bicentenary of the rebellion was commemorated in 2004, with a variety of events. The re-enactment in 2004

1426-454: The rebellion as it was happening, commenced defensive measures and sent a message to the governor in Sydney. With their courier, John Griffen, having had second thoughts about passing on the instructions Cunningham had given him to convey to Brian Furey, and subsequently being arrested, the call out messages to Windsor , Parramatta and Sydney failed, and the uprising was confined to the west of

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1472-413: The rebels then went from farm to farm on their way to Constitution Hill at Parramatta, seizing more weapons and supplies, including rum and spirits, and recruiting others to fight their cause. Their move had been informed by the intelligence gathered a year previously, when 12 convicts escaped from Castle Hill, seeking out friends and sympathisers in the surrounding districts. When captured, every convict had

1518-474: The response "Death or Liberty" from Cunningham, to which some were reported to have added "and a ship to take us home", although that exchange was only once recorded, some time later, by Suttor. With the NSW Corps and militia formed up in firing lines behind Major Johnston, he and Trooper Anlezark produced pistols, while negotiating under truce, duping the two leaders of the uprising, and escorting them back to

1564-571: The ringleaders Cunningham and Johnston, with two, Johnson and Humes, subjected to "hanging in chains" or gibbeting . Two men, John Burke and Bryan McCormack, were reprieved and detained at the Governor's pleasure, seven were whipped with 200 or 500 lashes and sent to the Coal River chain gang, while 23 others, including Cavenah, were sent to the Newcastle coal mines. Another 34 prisoners were placed in irons until they could be "disposed of". It

1610-499: The same story: they were heading to China by crossing over the Blue Mountains . When news of the uprising spread there was great panic amongst the colony of around 5,000 inhabitants. Officials such as Samuel Marsden fled the area by boat, escorting Elizabeth Macarthur and her children, because an informer had advised that an attack would be made on the Macarthur's farm so as to draw troops away from Parramatta. On receipt of

1656-478: The short period of the rebellion, Cunningham was elected "King of the Australian Empire", and his followers declared the area "New Ireland". Major Johnston's contingent, wearied by their night march, needed time to close with the retreating rebels, who were reported to number around 400 so, to implement delaying tactics, he rode after them with a small mounted party, while the rest of his party completed

1702-608: The signal for the rebellion to begin. While the fire was not seen by the convicts at Green Hills, today's Windsor , on the Hawkesbury River, Cunningham activated the plan to gather weapons, ammunition, food and recruits from local supporters and the government farm at Castle Hill. With Cunningham leading, about 200 to 300 rebels broke into the Government Farm's buildings, taking firearms, ammunition, and other weapons. The constables and overseers were overpowered and

1748-556: The soldiers' lines. On being given the order to engage, Quartermaster Sergeant Thomas Laycock directed more than fifteen minutes of musket fire at the rebel lines and then charged, cutting Cunningham down with his cutlass. The now-leaderless rebels tried to fire back, but then broke and dispersed. According to official reports, at least fifteen rebels fell during the battle. Major Johnston prevented further bloodshed by threatening his troops with his pistol to temper their enthusiasm. Several convicts were captured and an unknown number killed in

1794-454: The supervision of wool washing, baling, and transport, and the selection of rams and breeding to improve the flock. While John expressed his gratitude and admiration for her ability to cope, her irregular and inadequate correspondence were of constant concern. Nonetheless, her contribution was essential to the success of the enterprise and establishing New South Wales as a reliable supplier of quality wool. In England, John used his flair to promote

1840-508: The troops he had brought with him, a number of civilians volunteered. The 36 armed members of the Parramatta Loyal Association militia were also called out, and took over defence of the town. Over 50 men enrolled in a reserve militia combined with the New South Wales Corps to march out and confront the rebels. Johnston decided to advance in two columns, one which he led himself towards Toongabbie , and another under

1886-580: Was an English-born landowner and businesswomen who was wife of John Macarthur . Elizabeth Macarthur was born in Bridgerule England, the daughter of provincial farmers, Richard and Grace Veale of Cornish origin . Her father died when she was aged four years. Her mother remarried when she was 11, leaving Elizabeth in the care of her grandfather, John, and friend. Elizabeth married Plymouth soldier John Macarthur in 1788. In 1790, with her newborn son Edward , she accompanied John and his regiment,

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1932-467: Was given his grant at this site specifically to prevent it becoming a significant site for Irish convicts. "The Government Farm at Castle Hill", a plot of land around 60 hectares (150 acres), was added in March 1986 to the now defunct Register of the National Estate , as a special place of international and Australian significance. Residential development has significantly diminished the area of

1978-399: Was quickly declared in the colony. The mostly Irish rebels, having gathered reinforcements, were hunted by the colonial forces until they were caught on Rouse Hill on 5 March 1804. While negotiating under a flag of truce , Cunningham was arrested. The troops then charged, and the rebellion was suppressed. Nine of the rebel leaders were executed, and hundreds were punished, before martial law

2024-544: Was revoked a week after the battle. Many convicts in the Castle Hill area were veterans of the United Irish movement and of the rebellion it had instigated in Ireland in the summer of 1798. From late 1799, they were transported as exiles-without-trial to the Colony of New South Wales. In September 1800, an Irish conspiracy was uncovered. The rebels planned to meet at and take Parramatta, and then before daylight take

2070-530: Was significant in that exact numbers were recruited to form the rebels, the militia and the military. The event was held near the original site on a similar landscape. The re-enactment was recorded by the ABC . The battle has been depicted on screen. An Australian 1978 TV series, Against the Wind , included a dramatization over two episodes of the build-up to and ultimate defeat of the rebellion. A monument commemorating

2116-420: Was to proceed to the western gate of the park around Government House, where the rebels had been seen a few hours earlier. If they were not there, he was ordered to exploit towards Toongabbie and Castle Hill to locate them and then await further orders. He was also empowered to fire upon anyone who did not obey his directions. Shortly after 5:00 am, Johnston set out to locate the main rebel force. In addition to

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