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Governor's House at Sydney

William Bradley (c.1758—1833)
View of the Governor’s House at Sydney in
Port Jackson New South Wales Jan’y 1791 1791
watercolour; 21.6 x 36 cm
R9867

1789
January

A convict uprising on Norfolk Island is planned, and suppressed

March
25 Seven marines are tried and executed for the systematic robbery of stores

April
29 Following their departure from Tahiti, 1st Lieutenant Fletcher Christian and crew members mutiny on HMS Bounty. Captain William Bligh and loyal crew members are cast adrift in a launch
An outbreak of Smallpox occurs at Sydney Cove and causes many deaths amongst the Aboriginal population including Arabanoo

June
4 The first Government House is completed
12 Governor Phillip discovers the Hawkesbury River on an expedition to Broken Bay
14 Captain William Bligh and remaining crew from HMS Bounty arrive in Timor following a journey of 5,800 km in an open boat
27 Captain Watkin Tench explores the Nepean River

August
7 Twelve of the best-behaved convicts become the colony's police force carrying out night watch
20 The Colonial Office instructs Governor Phillip to make land grants to marines and assign convicts as servants

September
20
Hunter explores and charts Botany Bay

October
5
The first vessel to be built in the colony is launched for trading on the Parramatta River

November
1
Rations are reduced by one-third
25 Two Aboriginal men, Bennelong and Colbee, are captured by Governor Phillip