William Lonsdale (colonist)
| William Lonsdale | |
|---|---|
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| Born | 2 October 1799 Den Helder, Batavian Republic |
| Died | 28 March 1864 (aged 64) London, England |
| Occupation | Colonist, public servant |
| Spouse(s) | Martha Smythe |
| Children | 4 sons and 4 daughters |
William Lonsdale (2 or 21 October 1799 – 28 March 1864) supervised the founding of the official settlement at Port Phillip (later named Melbourne) from 1836 and went on to serve under the Superintendent La Trobe from 1839 to 1854.
Lonsdale was born in Den Helder, Batavian Republic, during Britain's failed campaign to restore the deposed Prince William of Orange. His father, Lieutenant James Lonsdale, had been accompanied by his wife Jane (née Faunce). William at age 20 joined his father's old regiment, the King's Own (4th) Regiment of the Foot, as an ensign on 8 July 1819. He was soon joined by his younger brother, Alured. William and Alured served with their Regiment in the West Indies and on 4 March 1824 William was promoted Lieutenant and appointed Adjutant. He returned to England and was posted to Portugal. By 1830 he was back in England and by 20 March 1831 his Regiment was posted to the Colony of New South Wales to relieve the 39th Regiment. He was to become a colonial administrator as well as his profession as a soldier.
Lonsdale arrived in Sydney on 14 December 1831 with a detachment of troops guarding convicts on the Bussorah Merchant. During the next five years he served in the colony of New South Wales, his brother Alured serving in Van Diemen's Land before joining him in New South Wales in 1833. Whilst stationed at Port Macquarie, William was able to purchase his commission as a captain, and married Martha néeSmythe on 4 April 1835. He returned to Sydney Town and on 2 January 1836 was gazetted as a Magistrate of the Territory and also as Assistant Police Magistrate. William and Martha's first child, Alice Mary, was born at Parramatta on 20 February 1836.
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