LIEUT. JOHN WATTS; AIDE-DE-CAMP & ARCHITECT

LIEUT. JOHN WATTS; AIDE-DE-CAMP & ARCHITECT

Mention the term  ’colonial architect’ in New South Wales and most people would respond with the name Francis Greenway. That is quite understandable, but let’s bring another deserving character out of the shadows. Who better to speak of John Cliffe  Watts’ ability and character than Elizabeth Macquarie?

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THE MYSTERY OF THE WISHING TREE

THE MYSTERY OF THE WISHING TREE

In Sydney’s Botanic Gardens there is a very special Norfolk Island pine known as The Wishing Tree. It is a replacement of the original, which was planted in the early days of the colony. A sign explains its history, and its association with Governor  Lachlan Macquarie’s wife,

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ELIZABETH MACQUARIE AND DR JOHNSON

ELIZABETH MACQUARIE AND DR JOHNSON

                                           A WEDDING GIFT On November 3 1807, 29 year old Elizabeth Henrietta Campbell married 46 year old Lieutenant Colonel Lachlan Macquarie at Holsworthy, in the English county of Devon. Their wedding marked the end of a long separation. Macquarie had just returned from military service in India,

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THE FRIENDS OF ELIZABETH MACQUARIE – PART III

THE FRIENDS OF ELIZABETH MACQUARIE - PART III

MRS MACQUARIE – FINAL DAYS, FAITHFUL FRIENDS Elizabeth and  Lachlan Macquarie returned  to Scotland  from New South Wales  with their young son  in 1822 .  Unfortunately, Macquarie’s   estate of Jarvisfield on the Isle of Mull was financially unviable and  it’s residence Gruline House  barely habitable. In retrospect

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THE FRIENDS OF MRS MACQUARIE PART II – A NEW WORLD

THE FRIENDS OF MRS MACQUARIE  PART II - A NEW WORLD

At the end of  PART ONE of this story, we left  Miss Elizabeth Campbell  fretting over her fiance Lachlan Macquarie’s lack of eagerness to return from army duties in  India.  Clearly something  had to be done. Fortuitously, Henrietta Meredith had a friend and family connection by the

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THE FRIENDS OF ELIZABETH MACQUARIE – Part One

THE FRIENDS OF ELIZABETH MACQUARIE - Part One

On January 1st 1810, Lachlan Macquarie was sworn in as Governor of New South Wales, replacing  the deposed William Bligh. Macquarie had arrived in Port Jackson aboard The Dromedary several days earlier, accompanied by his wife Elizabeth.  Her love and unswerving loyalty  would sustain the Governor throughout

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THE MISSING GEORGE TOWN SKETCHES

THE MISSING GEORGE TOWN SKETCHES

On November 4  1811, Governor Lachlan Macquarie left  Sydney aboard  the Lady Nelson to carry out an inspection tour of Van Diemen’s Land. He was accompanied by his wife Elizabeth. After several weeks based in Hobart, the official party  made its way north. By early December they

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THE MYSTERY OF THE MACQUARIE MINIATURES

THE MYSTERY OF THE MACQUARIE MINIATURES

On September 17  1879,  the much anticipated Sydney International Exhibition opened in the vast, purpose built Garden Palace. It was located at the south-western end of the Royal Botanic Gardens. On October 27 The Sydney Morning Herald reported; There are two  or three more than ordinarily interesting

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HISTORIC PAINTING RETURNS TO AUSTRALIA

HISTORIC PAINTING RETURNS TO AUSTRALIA

 THE EVANS PAINTING – AND A LITTLE MIRACLE For many years I have been attempting to trace four unidentified sketches by Elizabeth Macquarie,   wife of Lachlan Macquarie, an early Governor of New South Wales.  As a resident of the Blue Mountains, I would like to believe

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THE MYSTERY OF MRS MACQUARIE’S EARRINGS

THE MYSTERY OF MRS MACQUARIE'S EARRINGS

 A PRICELESS GIFT On September 26 1968, Australia’s Consul-General in New York, Sir Reginald Sholl, received a visit from an elderly gentleman offering to present the Australian government with a pair of earrings associated with Governor Lachlan Macquarie’s wife Elizabeth. Sholl’s visitor was Edward Manley Hopkins, great-grandson

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