Journal of a voyage from London to New South Wales in the ship Brixton, Captain John Lusk, 26th April 1821 by George Lang

B 794

fonds

1821

1102810

0.02 metres of textual material

George commenced his studies in Medicine, but was offered a glamorous position of superintendent of a large sugar plantation at Lucia in the West Indies. However, his patron was killed just before George left, putting George's future in jeopardy. His brother, John Dunmore Lang, wrote to his friend Captain Piper in New South Wales regarding a career in the new country for his brother. As a result, on 24th April, 1821, George sailed from London for Hobart on the Brixton under Captain Lusk. He arrived in Hobart in the following August. He then proceeded to Sydney arriving 16th September 1821, a few months before Sir Thomas Brisbane was to arrive to relieve Lachlan Macquarie of his position as Governor.

On his arrival in Sydney, George Lang obtained a job in the mercantile house of Riley and Walker through the goods offices of Deputy Commissary, General William Wemyss (in whose house John was to board when he arrived in Sydney). Later, George moved to Parramatta where he joined the Commissariat Department.

George did not have a Home Governor's Order for land. However, he applied for a grant of land on 5th March, 1822 and he was granted an initial 1000 acres(424 ha) from Governor Macquarie, adjacent Standish Harris' land . The site he chose was between the future villages of Largs and Paterson. He later purchased an additional 600 ha and named the property Dunmore. He had been a conscientious worker, not having given time to the development of his land grants and in one case, not having even made a selection of land.

John Dunmore Lang left for New South Wales at the urging of his brother George. Reverend John Dunmore Lang was the colony's first Presbyterian Minister. John Dunmore Lang was an active proponent for moral reform in the young colony and served as a Member of Parliament. Lang was instrumental in establishing the Presbyterian Church and education in the colony, including successfully agitating for British funding for building churches for this faith. Scots Church in Sydney was largely funded by the Lang family through income derived from farming this estate, Dunmore House.

Tragically, George Lang died in 1825, in Sydney, aged 23. The property was inherited by his elder brother, Dr John Dunmore Lang, who became the first Presbyterian minister in the colony. Dr Lang was unable to remain at Dunmore and the estate passed to his younger brother Andrew.
(Source: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDetails.aspx?ID=5056380)

Bound manuscript journal of George Lang's journey from England to New South Wales via Tasmania in 26 April 1821 to 15 September 1821. The Brixton arrived in Sydney on the 16th September 1821.

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