London News: English Parliament Buildings Burn
On this day, 16th October 1834, Allan Cunningham was living at Strand on the Green when the Palace of Westminster burned.…
Articles by Diane Challenor
London News: Convict Shipwreck Disaster
On this day, while Allan Cunningham was in England, 31st August 1833, a ship, Amphitrite, carrying convicts sank. Allan Cunningham would have read the news from the comfort of his home in Strand-on-the-Green or when he visited his favourite coffee house in London.…
Sydney News: Richard Cunningham arrives
On this day, 5th January 1833, Richard Cunningham, Allan’s brother, arrived in Sydney on the convict ship Mary III, to take up his post as the Colonial Botanist.…
Sydney News: First Performance Theatre Royal
Australia’s first professional theatrical performance is staged at the Theatre Royal, Sydney, organised by Jewish entrepreneur Barnett Levey.…
Addressing the Parliamentary Select Committee on Secondary Punishments
On this day in London, 22nd June 1832, Allan Cunningham gave some particulars of Moreton Bay to a British Select Committee on Secondary Punishments…
Sydney News: James Holman departs on the Strathfieldsaye
On this day, 30th March 1832, James Holman (known as the blind traveller) departed Sydney on the Strathfieldsaye…
London News: The British Reform Act of 1832 becomes law
Around this date, 15th March 1832, the British Parliament passed the “Reform Act of 1832” into law, bringing patronage close to an end.…
Sydney News: The death of Charles Fraser, Colonial Botanist
On this day, 22nd December 1831, Charles Fraser, 1788 – 1831, ((Learn more about Charles Falser, Colonial Botanist of New South Wales at Wikipedia, plus The Australian Dictionary of Biography has an interesting entry about Mr Fraser)) the Colonial Botanist, working in Port Jackson, died. Charles was a founder of the Botanic Gardens in Sydney and took part in many exploratory expeditions including several in the company of Allan Cunningham and contributed an enormous amount of knowledge to the science of botany. The death of this man would result in Allan’s brother Richard coming to Australia to take up the role of Colonial Botanist and only a few years later, after Richard’s unfortunate violent death in 1835, Allan would return to Australia in 1837 to become the Colonial Botanist.…
Sydney News: Governor Darling leaves the colony
Governor Darling sailed from Sydney for the UK with his wife and children in the “Hooghley” on 22 October.…
Sydney News: Celebrating the departure of an unpopular Governor
While Allan Cunningham was on his way to England on the “Forth”, in October 1831, Mr William Charles Wentworth celebrated the departure of Governor Darling by organising a “splendid Fete” at his home on the shores of Sydney Harbour, inviting many colonists to enjoy his hospitality. Over 4000 people attended.…
London News: New London Bridge opened
On this day, 1st August 1831, the New London Bridge was opened in London. At this time, Allan Cunningham was living at Strand-On-The-Green. It is interesting to wonder whether Mr Cunningham went to the opening celebrations.…
A house in London at Strand-on-the-Green
On this day, 1st July 1831, Allan Cunningham purchased a residence at Number 21 Strand-on-the-Green…
Aboard the “Forth” sailing to England
Sometime around 18th June 1831 Allan Cunningham was aboard the “Forth” sailing to England. A brig, “Three Sisters”, outward bound from Bahia crossed their path. The ship had sailed from Bahia to Guernsey, laden with sugar. From her captain and one of her passengers, who were invited on board, they received a long account of the revolution that had taken place in Brazil, and of the abdication of Don Pedro.…
At sea aboard the “Forth, alongside the “Royal Admiral”
On this day, 9th June 1831, Allan Cunningham was at sea aboard the “Forth” heading for England. A ship, the “Royal Admiral”, outward bound from Port Jackson, sailed into view. Light winds kept them together several days, and visits were occasionally paid to and from both vessels until the wind picked up and they continued on their way.…
Sydney News: The steamship “Sophia Jane” arrives
On this day, 14th May 1831, the first steamship to operate in Australian waters, “Sophia Jane”, arrived at Port Jackson from Britain under sail.…
Aboard the “Forth”, off the coast of Cape Horn
On this day, 14th April 1831, Allan Cunningham was onboard the “Forth” sailing for England and off the coast of Cape Horn.…
Sydney News: SS Surprise launched at Neutral Bay
While Allan Cunningham sailed toward England, on this day, 31st March 1831, the first steamboat in Australia, Surprise, was launched at Neutral Bay.…
Homeward to England on the “Forth”
On this Day, 25th February 1831, Allan Cunningham sailed homeward to Portsmouth in England from Port Jackson on the “Forth” after collecting botanical specimens and exploring the Australian wilderness for 15 years.…
Sydney News: Death of Bungaree, Indigenous Elder
Death of Boongarie (Bungaree), chief of the Broken Bay and Sydney tribes.…
Morton Bay News: Patrick Logan murdered
Sometime around this day, 1st November 1830, Captain Patrick Logan was murdered.…