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
Macquarie’s right-hand man
Henry Colden Antill was born in 1779 in New York and grew up in Canada. His loyalist father was forced to give up his New York farm and emigrate north after the American war of independence.
At the age of 17, Antill joined the 73rd regiment of the British army and served in India. Whilst on his deployment, Antill served under superior officer Lachlan Macquarie; the two formed a strong friendship and remained good friends for life.
At the end of 1808, Captain Antill was stationed in Glasgow. He received word that he and his men were to report to England, where the regiment was to accompany the new governor of New South Wales on ships bound for Sydney.
When Antill arrived in England, he was contacted by his commanding officer, Colonel Lachlan Macquarie. Macquarie informed Antill that the proposed Governor, General Nightingall, was seeking a suitable aide-de-camp, and Macquarie had recommended Antill. Official appointments could only be made upon arrival in NSW, but before the troops even left England, general Nightingall became ill, and the Governorship was offered to Macquarie.
On arrival in Sydney on January 1, 1810, Antill was officially declared aide-de-camp to Governor Macquarie, who had landed the day before ‘with all due ceremony’.
The naming of Bathurst
Sunday, May 7 - A thick foggy morning, which soon cleared away as the sun got a little power. A little after breakfast, assembled the whole of our inhabitants, civic, naval and military, 75 in number, and drawing them up in line, in front of the large tent, the British flag was displayed for the first time in this new country, the troops saluting it with three vollies, and the rest giving three cheers. The Governor then delivered a short speech to Mr. Cox and Mr. Evans as having through their exertions been brought to so fine a country, thanking the latter for having explored it with so much perseverance and success, and the former for having with considerable labour made so good a road for upwards of a hundred miles in so short a time and so difficult to perform. He then named the place and new town to be marked out, " Bathurst," and each drank a burr per, some in wine, and the rest in rum, to the King's health, and success to the town of Bathurst—an era in my life, which at some future day I hope I shall look back to with pleasure and satisfaction. We then adjourned to the Governor's marquee, where Divine service was performed, a suitable ceremony at the close of so interesting a one we had just been witness to. 'Tis pleasing to look forward and think that perhaps at some future period not far distant, a flourishing town may arise on the very spot we are now occupying on the banks of the Macquarie River, which may hand down the name of our worthy Governor with honour to posterity, as its founder; and where Divine service has now been performed to the great Dispenser of events, some future church may be erected to His name and worship. The men were orderly and attentive and the day was spent with cheerfulness, and good humour, and was closed by giving the men another dram.
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.
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