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State Library of New South Wales
Journal of an excursion over the Blue or Western Mountains of New South Wales to visit a tract of new discovered Country

Journal of an excursion over the Blue or Western Mountains of New South Wales to visit a tract of new discovered Country

25 April–19 May 1815
Safe 1 / 20a
1849 Manuscript copy of original

Governor Lachlan Macquarie’s aide-de-camp, Henry Colden Antill (1779 – 1852), was part of Macquarie’s 1815 expedition across the Blue Mountains to inspect the newly opened land of New South Wales. Members of the party included colonists, explorers and artists such as Sir John Jamieson, John Oxley, James Meehan, John Lewin, William Redfern and William Cox. They proceeded from Sydney via Parramatta, Springwood, Blackheath, Cox's Pass and Campbell River then onto Bathurst.

Antill kept a journal of the trip and later provided a copy to his colleague John Lewin in exchange for a set of the watercolour drawings Lewin created that captured scenes from their journey.
This volume includes Antill’s expedition across the Blue Mountains, as well as his journal that documents his voyage from England to NSW in 1809. Both journals were published in 1914 as: Early history of New South Wales : two old journals, being the diaries of Major H.C. Antill on the voyage to New South Wales in 1809, and on a trip across the Blue Mountains in 1815, Sydney, Govt. Printer, 1914

May 13-15, 1815

Henry Colden Antill’s journal is displayed open to the pages of May 13-15, 1815. 
The day before, one of the men had gone missing. The story starts on the previous page…
‘He had come with us with the idea of becoming a settler in the new country, and as we suppose, he had remained behind at Bathurst, a man was this morning sent back for him, he returned in the evening and reported the last time the poor fellow was seen was with some of the natives. He had been at Bathurst the morning we left, and being a little in liquor, had insisted upon going with them to their camp, where it was supposed from his own imprudence he had fallen a sacrifice, as no trace could be found of him by the parties which had been sent out; and the natives with whom he had gone away, had not since been seen. I am told he has left a wife and four children to lament his loss, which likewise threw a damp upon all our spirits, and considerably diminished the pleasure of our journey back.
Saturday, May 13.—Rose this morning before daylight, called up the servants in order that they might get their breakfast before us, and sent off the baggage early. This was a very fatiguing march, retracing Clarence's Hilly Range. Went on ahead to Cox's Pass, and got out some wine from one of the carts, which had been sent on in front, and on returning to Cox's River, found the tent pitched and dinner ready.
Sunday, May 14.—Up this morning a little before daylight to enjoy a most delightful morning. After breakfast assembled the people together and had Divine service performed, no sermon was read, as it was late-before we began, and the gentlemen were impatient to ride out. When this-duty was over the people began to pack up two of the carts, and they were sent off up the Pass to ascend the mountain, which was what I did not approve of, as there was no immediate occasion for doing so. Took a walk up the river, and remained absent till near dinner-time. We had a very mild night, but a- high wind made it unpleasant, coming down the vallies in gusts, and driving the smoke about in all directions.
Monday, May 15.—Eose early this morning, and sent off what remained of the baggage to the Pass, intending to breakfast there before we-ascended.’
From Journal of an excursion over the Blue or Western Mountains of New South Wales, to visit a tract of new discovered Country in company with His Excellency Governor & Mrs Macquarie, and a Party of Gentlemen by Henry Colden Antill, 1815