This week in history 12-18 February
February 12
On this day in 1793 John Macarthur was granted 100 acres of land at Parramatta by Acting Governor Francis Grose. Macarthur went on to become the first man to clear and cultivate 50 acres and received a further grant of 100 acres. These two grants formed the land for what became known as Elizabeth Farm, named in honour of Macarthur's wife.
- See Colonial Secretary's Papers under John Macarthur
- See Colonial Secretary's Papers under Elizabeth Macarthur
February 13
On this day in 1844 convicted murderer John Knatchbull was hanged before a big crowd at Darlinghurst Gaol. Knatchbull, a former captain in the British Navy, arrived in NSW as a convict and continued to run foul of the law. In January 1844 he murdered shopkeeper Ellen Jamieson with a tomahawk.
February 14
On this day in 1788 Lieutenant Philip Gidley King left Sydney to establish a settlement on Norfolk Island. With him were 15 convicts and seven free men. They arrived on 6 March 1788 and began to prepare the Island for more settlement and commercial development.
February 15
On this day in 1876 the current state flag for NSW was adopted when it was proclaimed in the NSW Government Gazette. The new badge was designed by Colonial Architect James Barnet and Captain Francis Hixson, a retired Royal Navy officer and is described as on a silver background, a red cross bearing a golden lion in the centre and eight pointed golden star on each arm.
February 16
On this day in 1914 Charles Gilbert Heydon, a Judge at the Industrial Court, ruled that a living wage for a family of four should be 48 shillings a week. This living wage should be governed by the degree of propserity of the age.
February 17
On this day in 1948 Dr Grace Boelke (nee Robinson) died in Manly, NSW. Grace, along with Iza Coghlan, were the first two women medical students to graduate from Sydney University in 1893. Grace began a working career as a doctor for the Benevolent Asylum on Pitt Street, Sydney.
