Sandstone Explorers Part 4 - Celebrating 200 years of The Crossing of the Blue Mountains - William Lawson

Next in the series on Sandstone Explorers is William Lawson a member of the party that crossed the Blue Mountains in 1813.

William Lawson arrived in Sydney in 1800 as an ensign in the navy. Soon after he was posted to Norfolk Island for 6 years returning in 1806, when he was promoted to lieutenant and was made commandant at Newcastle until 1809.

 

 

 

As with many of the officers who arrived in the colony at the time Lawson soon acquired land and began developing his agricultural interests. At first a small property near Concord which quickly grew to 70 acres where he grazed mostly cattle.

 

During his time as an officer he acted on several court martials including D'Arcy Wentworth and John Macarthur just before the Rum Rebellion against Governor William Bligh. This is of particular interest to me as I work at Elizabeth Farm, the historical home of John Macarthur. During this time he received a grant of 500 acres at Prospect which was confirmed by Governor Macquarie after returning to the colony from his role as a witness in the trial of Major George Johnston. He named it Veteran Hall and built a 40 room mansion.

 

Being a qualified surveyor, when he was asked by Gregory Blaxland to join the expedition to cross the Blue Mountains he accepted and joined with him and William Charles Wentworth setting off in May 1813.

 

During the expedition all three explorers kept journals but it was Lawson's that was expertly completed with accurate measurements of time and distance and allowed the route to be accurately retraced.

 

As with Blaxland and Wentworth, when the explorers returned they were rewarded with 1,000 acres west of the mountains and Lawson chose his on the Campbell River near Bathurst. In 1819 Lawson was appointed commandant of Bathurst and remained in this post until 1824 after which he retired to Veteran Hall. 

 

While living in Bathurst Lawson continued his explorations opening up the area around Mudgee. He had large parcels of land on which he grazed cattle, sheep and horses. His horses were well renowned throughout the colony as coach horses.

 

Lawson supported the foundation of the Scots Church in 1824 and Scots Church Parramatta in 1838. During his time as a magistrate he signed an approval for trial by jury.

 

He died in 1850 leaving most of his estates to his son William.

 

Interesting fact  - he was nicknamed "Old Ironbark" because of his strength and endurance.