13th July 1791

On this day, 13th July 1791, Allan Cunningham was born in London. He was born into a time when people were moving away from rigid ideas based on faith dictated by religion and they were wondering about the connections in the natural world. He was born into the age of enlightenment.

Allan was to become a plant explorer playing an important role in Colonial Australia's history. He grew up in Wimbledon near London's Royal Gardens at Kew and from the very beginning of his life he was surrounded by people who understood plants and gardens. His father, who was originally from Scotland and Head Gardener at Wimbledon House, provided Allan with a good education at Reverend Adams School in Putney.

In his early years he was employed at Kew Gardens assisting William Townsend Aiton who was working on the second edition of Hortus Kewensis. It was at Kew he came to the notice of Sir Joseph Banks who became his patron and recruited Allan as a botanical collector for King George III. He was sent to Brazil for a couple of years and then to Australia. It would be in Australia where he would make his mark.

SOURCE: WG McMINN "ALLAN CUNNINGHAM".

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12th February 1793

On this day, 12th February 1793, Allan Cunningham's younger brother, Richard was born. He followed a similar path as his older brother, working for W.T. Aiton at Kew Gardens in London. He stayed there for eighteen years as an amanuensis*, cataloguing specimens which his brother Allan sent home from his travels in Brazil, Australia, and New Zealand.

Later, on the recommendation of Allan, he was appointed as the Colonial Botanist in Australia.

* Note: The Oxford Dictionary defines amanuensis as "one who writes from dictation or copies manuscript; literary assistant."

SOURCE: AUSTRALIAN DICTIONARY OF BIOGRAPHY ONLINE "RICHARD CUNNINGHAM"

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5th January 1833

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.

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7th February 1814

On this day, 7th February 1814,while Allan Cunningham and his brother Richard studied and catalogued plants arriving from the "new" world at London's Kew Gardens, two men arrived in Port Jackson. They arrived on the convict ship, General Hewitt. Their names were Joseph Lycett and Francis Greenway. One was an artist and the other an architect. Both men were transported to the colony for forgery and condemned to spend the next fourteen years as prisoners of mother England (P-O-M-E) at the mercy of their jailers. Fortunately for them, they were lucky, they had skills that where desperately needed in the infant colony. A very short time after arriving, Governor Macquarie put them to work utilising their talents and they were able to move about the colony with a reasonable degree of freedom, quite unexpected.

Whether or not Allan Cunningham met both men is unclear, however he would have walked passed buildings designed by Greenway and enjoyed the landscapes that Lycett represented in his paintings and drawings.

Lycett left behind images of Sydney Town and Greenway left behind buildings that we can see and touch today. Their creations assist us in visualising the things Allan Cunningham saw as he strolled the streets of Sydney Town.

SOURCE: J TURNER "JOSEPH LYCETT" and D CHALLENOR "THE KING'S BOTANICAL COLLECTOR"

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27th August 1814

On this day, 27th August 1814, Allan Cunningham applied for the position of The King's Botanical Collector, soon afterward his application was accepted. It was agreed that he would be paid 180 pounds per annum plus expenses, being 30 pounds per annum in cash and the rest to be placed in a bank in London to provide for his retirement.

SOURCE: WG McMINN "ALLAN CUNNINGHAM".

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29th October 1814

On this day, 29th October 1814, Allan Cunningham and James Bowie sailed from Spithead on board the Duncan 74 commanded by Captain Chambers. Their destination was Rio de Janiero in South America. Their task was to collect botanical specimens for Kew Gardens in London.

SOURCE: WG McMINN "ALLAN CUNNINGHAM".

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28th December 1814, three days after Christmas

On this day, 28th December 1814, Allan Cunningham and James Bowie arrived in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. They found a place to stay in the capital, Rio and spent the next three months awaiting the Portuguese government's permission to travel in the interior.

They remained in Brazil for two years.

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18th June 1815

On this day, 18th June 1815, while Allan Cunningham and James Bowie were in Brazil, collecting plants for Kew Gardens, their fellow countrymen defeated the French at Waterloo. This event ensured the colonisation of Australia remained firmly in British hands. If the French had won at Waterloo our Australian world would be very different today. Many of the Englishmen who fought in the Napoleonic wars brought themselves and their families to Australia in the years that followed. Several geographic names in Australia find their source in people, places and events related to the British success at Waterloo. Two popular name choices were that of the British heros, Nelson and Wellington.

SOURCE: WIKIPEDIA "THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO"

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28th September 1816

On this day, 28th September 1816, Allan Cunningham and his colleague James Bowie departed Rio de Janeiro, having spent two years collecting plant specimens for Sir Joseph Banks and Kew Gardens. During this time they gradually became experts in botanical identification and their ability to overcome obstacles they met along the way were the foundations on which their future careers would stand.

Allan Cunningham headed for Port Jackson, Australia and James Bowie went to Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.

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20th December 1816

On this day, 20th December 1816, Allan Cunningham arrived in Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) from Rio de Janeiro. It was an Australian summer's day and he disembarked from the Surry at the dock in Sydney Town, "after a pleasant voyage of ninety-five days sailing". He must have been very excited and apprehensive all at the same time. He would remain in the colony until 1831.

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4th April 1817

On this day, 4th April 1817, Allan Cunningham joined John Oxley's Expedition to trace the course of the Lachlan River. They returned on the 8th September 1817, five months later, worse for wear.

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22nd December 1817, three days before Christmas

On this day, 22nd December 1817, HMS Mermaid departed southward from Port Jackson. Aboard were Phillip Parker King, the commander and his crew which included the botanist Allan Cunningham.

The ship departed Port Jackson on 22nd December 1817 and returned 29th July 1818. It was the first of four maritime journeys, commanded by Phillip Parker King, to survey the Australian Coast.

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20th January 1818

On this day, 20th January 1818, Allan Cunningham visits King George Sound and Oyster Harbour and stays there until 1st February 1818 while accompanying Phillip Parker King on his first Survey of coastal Australia aboard the HMS Mermaid.

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15th February to the 6th of March 1818

Between 15th February 1818 and 6th March 1818, Allan Cunningham visited Exmouth Gulf, the Bay of Rest, Curlew River, and the islands of Dampier's Archipelago.

On Malus Island, Allan discovered a third species of "that very beautiful genus" Clianthus

This visit was made when Allan Cunningham, Kings Botanist, was a member of Phillip Parker King's team, surveying the Australian coast for the British Admiralty and Colonial Office, aboard HMS Mermaidbetween 22 December 1817 to 29 July 1818.

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25th February 1818

On this day, 25th February 1818, Allan Cunningham visited Dampier's Archipelago.

This visit was made when Allan Cunningham, Kings Botanist, was a member of Phillip Parker King's team, surveying the Australian coast for the British Admiralty and Colonial Office, aboard HMS Mermaidbetween 22 December 1817 to 29 July 1818.

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27th March 1818

On this day, 27th March 1818, Allan Cunningham visits South Goulburn Island while accompanying Phillip Parker King on his first survey of coastal Australia.

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5th June 1818

Allan Cunningham visits Timor, Coepang, Port Jackson between 5th June and 29th June 1818 while accompanying Phillip Parker King on his first Survey of coastal Australia.

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19th October 1818

Allan Cunningham visits Illawarra District between 19th October and 19th November 1818.

"Cunningham is known to have made eight visits there between 1818 and 1830 . . . Cunningham initially visited Illawarra at a very early stage in the region's development. The first white settlers, apart from itinerant cedar-cutters, had moved in just 3 years previously (i.e. around 1815) with their cattle and horses for grazing, and the area was in a relatively pristine state. Cunningham was therefore on hand to observe and collect a large amount of indigenous botanical specimens before widespread clearing and farming of the land by white-men in the 1820s and 1830s destroyed much of the natural flora, and introduced numerous varieties of foreign species such as European grasses and crops, and weeds such as blackberry and lantana." Michael Organ

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7th January 1819

Allan Cunningham visits Mount Table (Mount Wellington) in Tasmania and climbs to its summit 7th January 1819

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13th January 1819

HMS Mermaid is anchored in Outer Bay (Pilot Bay) Macquarie Harbour 13th January 1819. Onboard is Allan Cunnngham accompanying Phillip Parker King on his survey of the coast south of Port Jackson and Van Dieman's Land.

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14th January 1819

The Mermaid returns to Port Jackson 14th February 1819, with Allan Cunningham onboard, after Phillip Parker King had completed his coastal survey of Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania).

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8th May 1819

Allan Cunningham departs northward from Port Jackson on 8th May 1819 accompanying Phillip Parker King on his second circumnavigation to survey coastal Australia onboard HMS Mermaid. They were away nine months and returned to Port Jackson 12th January 1820.

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11th May 1819

Allan Cunningham visits Port Macquarie, Hastings River between 11th May and 21st May 1819 while accompanying Phillip Parker King on his second circumnavigation to survey coastal Australia onboard HMS Mermaid.

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29th May 1819

Allan Cunningham visits Rodds Bay to Rockingham Bay between 29th May and 21st June 1819 while accompanying Phillip Parker King on his second circumnavigation to survey coastal Australia onboard HMS Mermaid.

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29th June 1819

Allan Cunningham visits Endeavour River between 29th June and 12th July 1819 while accompanying Phillip Parker King on his second circumnavigation to survey coastal Australia onboard HMS Mermaid.

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4th August 1819

Allan Cunningham visits Liverpool River and onward to Port Warrender between 4th August to 13th October 1819 while accompanying Phillip Parker King on his second circumnavigation to survey coastal Australia onboard HMS Mermaid.

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12th January 1820

Allan Cunningham returns to Port Jackson on 12th January 1820 after accompanying Phillip Parker King on his second circumnavigation to survey coastal Australia onboard HMS Mermaid.

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15th June 1820

Allan Cunningham departs northward from Port Jackson on 15th June 1820 accompanying Phillip Parker King on his third circumnavigation to survey coastal Australia onboard HMS Mermaid. They are away five months between 15th June to 9th December 1820

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17th September 1826

At the same time, in another part of the southern hemisphere, while Allan Cunningham was pottering about in New Zealand, on 17 September 1826, the legend of Fisher's Ghost was born.

George Worrall was arrested on suspicion of the farmer Fred Fisher's murder near Campbelltown a town south of Port Jackson.

During the trial George confessed to the murder...

Almost four months after the mysterious disappearance of Fred Fisher, in 1826 a strange occurrence took place in a local hotel. On that memorable night, a wealthy and respectable farmer, John Farley, stumbled into a local hotel in a state of shock. John claimed he had seen the ghost of Fred Fisher sitting on the rail of a bridge over a creek. The ghost pointed to a paddock down the creek then faded away.

The body of Fred Fisher was later discovered in the paddock where the ghost had pointed. His brother buried him locally in St Peter's Graveyard, however no headstone was erected.

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29th September 1829

The first professionally organised police service in Britain was founded on 29th September 1829, organised by Home Secretary Sir Robert Peel. Officers became known as either 'Peelers' or 'Bobbies'.

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9th June 1831

On this day, 9th June 1831, Allan Cunningham was 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.

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12th January 1836

Charles Darwin arrived in Sydney aboard The Beagle on 12th January 1836 and departed on 30th January 1836

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20th July 1820

Allan Cunningham visited Port Bowen between 20th July and 22nd July 1820, when he accompanied Phillip Parker King on his third survey of the Australian coast.

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27th July 1820

On this day 27th July 1820, Allan Cunningham was aboard The Mermaid, anchored off a beach on the Endeavour River, just near the spot where Captain Cook had anchored some years before. The river was calm and provided enough shelter to carry out much needed repairs. During his stay here he was able to go ashore to collect botanical specimens. He probably would have reflected on the earlier visit of his patron, Sir Joseph Banks who had collected in the area when he sailed with Captain James Cook.

This locality was investigated when Allan Cunningham accompanied Phillip Parker King and his crew on his third survey of the Australian Coast between June and December 1820.

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5th August 1820

Allan Cunningham was travelling between Lizard Island to Cairncross Island from 5th August to 15th August 1820, when he accompanied Phillip Parker King on his third survey of the Australian coast.

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21st August 1820

Allan Cunningham visited South Goulburn Island between 21st August to 26th August 1820, when he accompanied Phillip Parker King on his third survey of the Australian coast.

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5th to 20th September 1820

Allan Cunningham sailed around Montague Sound, York Sound and Port Frederick Harbour between 5th September and 20th September 1820, when he accompanied Phillip Parker King on his third survey of the Australian coast.

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17th December 1825

While Allan Cunningham was away exploring and botanising in the area between the Wellington Valley and the Cudgegong headwaters, a change of Governors took place back in Sydney.

Lieutenant-General Darling arrived in Port Jackson on 17th December 1825, replacing Sir Thomas Brisbane who had sailed for England sixteen days earlier.

Allan had become ill during his journey and recuperated at his home in Parramatta during January and February 1826

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1st July 1831

On this day, 1st July 1831, Allan Cunningham purchased a residence at Number 21 Strand-on-the-Green, "a pretty cottage", near Kew in London and stayed there until October 1836. It was here that he was able to entertain his scientific and adventurer friends. Thoughts of returning to Australia and its wilderness enticed him once again to return to his adopted country. The land of eucalyptus blue and wide open spaces.

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14th October 1825

Allan Cunningham rested his horses at Glenroy, north-west of Bathurst, where there was an abundance of grass. They had "fared badly in respect to green feed on the mountains". Glenroy was a favourite camping ground for the Botanist. He visited Glenroy several times in the past.

The Allan Cunningham Research Team visited Glenroy in 2006, read how they attempted to walk in the footsteps of Allan Cunningham in The Editor's Blog.

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4th August 1791

On this day, 4th August 1791, Allan Cunningham was christened at George Yard Chapel, previously White Horse Yard Chapel (Independent), Hammersmith, later Broadway Congregational Church

SOURCE: FAMILY SEARCH COURTESY OF THE CHURCH OF LDS ALLAN CUNNINGHAM 1791 ENGLAND

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13th February 1817

On this day, the Dick departed Gravesend on 13th February 1817. On board were Phillip Parker King of the Royal Navy, Midshipment John Septimus Roe and Frederick Bedwell. They were sent by the British Admiralty and the Colonial Office to survey the coastline of Australia. They will be joined by Allan Cunningham, the King's Botanical Collector, later that year just before they depart on the Mermaid to circumnavigate Australia for the first time.

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31st August 1833

On this day 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. Thoughts about the dangers of sailing to Australia and the safety of his friends who sailed back and forth must have been at the forefront of his mind. It was only a short time since he had farewelled his brother Richard, who sailed to Australia on Mary III.

Of the 136 people onboard only three survived. The news reported in The Observer was as follows: 'A Full, true and Particular Account of the Melancholy Loss of the british Convict Ship AMPHITRITE, on the evening of Saturday last, the 31st August 1833, off Boulogne, when 108 Female Convicts, 12 Children and 13 Seamen met with a watery grave, in sight of thousands, none being saved out of 136 Souls but Three!'

The loss of the Amphitrite had a big impact on the British public. The tone of this report reflects the sympathy and anger that was felt at such a loss of life and implies suspicion that proper safety procedures may not have been observed because the ship carried convicts rather than passengers: 'The British public demands that an inquiry be instituted into the conduct of all the parties concerned in this deplorable affair'. This was one of the first major losses of a convict ship bound for Australasia, but within two years two more vessels, the 'George III' and the 'Neva' had also sunk with major losses of life.
Extracted from The Word on the Street Website

Read more about the Convict Shipwreck Disasters of 1833-1842 in Granville Allen Mawer's book Most Perfectly Safe

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1st December 1817

On this day, Governor Lachlan Macquarie submitted the first of his resignations as Governor of New South Wales.

Viscount Castlereagh had told him before he left London that he would be given a pension if he stayed eight years as governor. The 1st of December was eight years and one month since he became Governor. At this time he was feeling a great deal of disappointment because he believed he had lost the support of Henry Bathurst, Secretary of State for the Colonies. With the loss of his support, Macquarie did not want to continue as Governor.

His resignation was not acted upon.

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25th February 1831

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. He took with him 70 crates of living material. He was delighted to discover that most of the passengers had known each other for years and fitted in well making the long voyage a pleasant one.

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14th April 1831

On this day, 14th April 1831, Allan Cunningham was onboard the "Forth" sailing for England and off the coast of Cape Horn.

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circa 18th June 1831

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.

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22nd December 1831

On this day, 22nd December 1831, Charles 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.

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Circa April 1835

Sometime in April 1835 Allan Cunningham's brother Richard disappeared in the Australian bush while on an expedition with Major Thomas Mitchell. After a prolonged search, the story of his demise was told by the people of the Bogan. It was thought he was hit over the head by a native who believed Richard may be a danger to his people.

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27th June 1839

On this day, 27th June 1839, Allan Cunningham died. His life had been cut short. He was only 48. In the words of his friend Robert Heward, it was the "temination of the life of this truly estimable man". Had he lived he would have continued collecting and identifying botanical specimens. He would have shared his knowledge with all those who showed an interest in understanding the wonders of nature. He was a success in all sense of the word.

"He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration" Source: Bessie Stanley

1st March 1837

On this day, 1st March 1837, Allan Cunningham took up his position as Colonial Botanist in New South Wales.

He had taken up the role without thinking it through. He wanted so much to return to the country he loved and the friends with whom he had shared his past glories. He was blinded by his memories. The reality was very different.

The responsibilities of the position he had accepted were more as a Head Gardener. They were not in line with his hopes and expectations of continuing his scientific work.

Disappointment lay in waiting.

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December 1837

In December 1837 Allan Cunningham resigned from his position as Colonial Botanist of New South Wales.

He wanted to discover things not maintain them.

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15th April 1838

On this day, 15th April 1838, Allan Cunningham departed from Port Jackson and a sailed to New Zealand aboard the French corvette L'Heroine commanded by Captain Cecille.

Allan commented that the trip was one of the most agreeable fourteen days voyage he had ever made in his life.

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13th October 1838

On this day, 13th October 1838, Allan Cunningham returned to Port Jackson from the Bay of Islands New Zealand, he was very ill.

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19th July 1814

On this day,19th July 1814 Matthew Flinders died in London aged 40

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31st March 1831

On this day, 31st March 1831, the first steamboat in Australia, Surprise, was launched

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