Land grants issued by Lachlan Macquarie, Sir Ralph Darling and Sir George Gipps, with related legal documents, 1816-1846

MLMSS 11902

fonds

1816-1846

9611772

0.49 metres of textual material (1 outsize box) - on paper and vellum, with paper pendant seals attached - 35 x 42.5 cm or smaller

The early governors of New South Wales had the authority to grant land to free settlers and emancipists who were ‘of good conduct and disposition to industry.’ In 1825, the practice of selling land through private tender began. However, grants without purchase were still permitted, as long as they did not surpass 2,560 acres or fall below 320 acres, unless they were in close proximity to a town or village. Viscount Goderich issued a directive in 1831, stating that no further free grants would be allocated, except for those that had already been promised.

Reference:
Museums of History NSW. “Land grants guide, 1788-1856.” Accessed 23 May 2023:
https://mhnsw.au/guides/land-grants-guide-1788-1856/

The documents were found in a vacated office suite during restoration work in the office of the Balnaves Foundation.

This collection comprises five land grants issued by Lachlan Macquarie, Sir Ralph Darling and Sir George Gipps and ten related legal agreements, 1816-1846.

Land grants

1. Land Grant of 80 acres in the district of Bathurst issued to John Fullagar by Lachlan Macquarie, 13 January 1818. Manuscript ink on vellum, signed ‘L. Macquarie’. Includes suspended paper seal (25.3 x 36.5 cm)

2. Land Grant of 80 acres in the district of Bathurst issued to William Leverton by Lachlan Macquarie, 13 January 1818. Manuscript ink on vellum, signed ‘L. Macquarie’. Includes suspended paper seal (29.8 x 36.2 cm)

3. Land Grant of 60 acres in the district of Bathurst issued to John Hillas Jnr. by Lachlan Macquarie, 13 January 1818. Printed paper and completed in manuscript ink, signed ‘L. Macquarie’. Includes suspended paper seal (29.5 x 36.3 cm)

4. Land Grant of 60 acres in the Parish of Gidley, County of Cumberland issued to James MacManus by Sir Ralph Darling, 19 October 1831. Printed vellum and completed in manuscript ink, signed ‘Ra Darling’. Suspended seal missing (32.1 x 42.2 cm)

5. Land Grant of 50 acres in the Parish of Gidley, County of Cumberland issued to Rowland Fairweather by Sir George Gipps, 16 July 1844. Printed vellum and completed in manuscript ink, signed ‘Geo: Gipps'. Includes attached paper seal (35 x 42.5 cm)


Folder containing related legal agreements (all manuscript ink on paper):

6. Transfer of 300 acres of land from Edmund Hobson to Samuel Larken, 28 November 1816

7. Lease of 300 acres from Edmund Hobson to Samuel Larken, 28 November 1816

8. Lease for five years of 80 acres of land from William Leverton to Samuel Larken, 13 February 1817

9. Transfer of 80 acres of land from William Leverton to Samuel Larken, 13 February 1817

10. Lease for five years of 80 acres of land from John Fullagar to Samuel Larken, 13 February 1817

11. Transfer of 80 acres of land from John Fullagar to Samuel Larken, 13 February 1817

12. Assignment of 60 acres of land from William Brazel to William Perrot, 29 July 1818

13. Lease for a year from Samuel Larkens [sic] to John Hillas, 10 February 1823

14. 'Release of 300 acres (Hobson) & 80 acres (Leverton) & 80 acres (Fullagar) of land from Samuel Larkens [sic] to John Hillis [sic]', 11 February 1823

15. Conveyance of 60 acres from James MacManus to Rowland Fairweather, 21 April 1846

Out of copyright:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

It is presumed by the donor that the documents were left in the office by J.G. Jagelman, Solicitors, a legal firm that no longer operates.