James Ruse
| James Ruse | |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 August 1760 Launceston, Cornwall, England |
| Died | 5 September 1837 (aged 77) Campbelltown, New South Wales |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Farmer, Convict |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Parry |
James Ruse (9 August 1759/1760 – 5 September 1837) was a Cornish farmer who, at the age of 23, was convicted of breaking and entering and was sentenced to seven years' transportation to Australia. He arrived at Sydney Cove on the First Fleet with 18 months of his sentence remaining. Ruse applied to Governor Arthur Phillip (of the colony) for a land grant, stating that he had been bred to farming. Governor Phillip, desperate to make the colony self-sufficient, allocated Ruse an allotment at Ruse Hill (now Rose Hill near Parramatta), where he proved himself industrious and showed that it was possible for a family to survive through farming. Having done this, Ruse received a grant of 30 acres (120,000 m2), enabling him eventually to sell 600 bushels of corn. This was the very first grant of land in New South Wales. Ruse later exchanged the grant for more fertile land on the Hawkesbury River. In later life, having been almost bankrupted from his farm by flooding, Ruse found work as a seaman and later
James Ruse was born at Launceston,Cornwall, England on 9 August 1760. In 1782, he was tried at Bodmin Assizes and sentenced to death for "burglariously breaking and entering the dwelling house of Thomas Olive and stealing thereout 2 silver watches and other goods." He was reprieved and sentenced to transportation for seven years. He was sent on the Scarborough, one of the First Fleet, and arrived in New South Wales on 19 January 1788.
In 1789 Ruse produced the first successful corn harvest in New South Wales. Whilst this harvest didn't yield sufficient corn to feed the colony, Ruse did produce enough seeds for the next year's crop, which was successful. Such was the colony's need for a food supply, that Governor Phillip rewarded Ruse for his success with the first land grant made in New South Wales, along with a gift of pigs and chickens. In February 1791, Ruse declared to the authorities that he was self-sufficient, and two months later, in March, he was granted a further 30 acres. Ruse expected to reap about eight bushels (290 litres) to the acre. After Ruse's sentence expired in 1792, the title of his land was deeded to him, the first land grant in the colony. In 1793, he sold his land to Dr. John Harris of the New South Wales Corps for 40 pounds. The property is now the Experiment Farm Cottage Museum of the National Trust of Australia.
...
Wikipedia