D'Arcy Wentworth facts for kids

D'Arcy Wentworth (born February 14, 1762 – died July 7, 1827) was an Irish surgeon. He was the first person to pay his own way to the new colony of New South Wales. He worked for the first seven governors of the Colony. From 1810 to 1821, he was a very important helper to Governor Lachlan Macquarie. Wentworth worked hard for the rights of emancipists (people who had been convicts but were now free). He also supported the idea of trial by jury.

Early Life and Training

D'Arcy Wentworth was born in Portadown, County Armagh, Ireland. He was the sixth child in his family. In 1778, when he was sixteen, D'Arcy started training to become a surgeon. He learned from a surgeon-apothecary in Tandragee. In 1782, he joined the Irish Volunteers (18th Century). This was a local group formed to protect Ireland during the American War of Independence.

In May 1785, D'Arcy finished his training and left Ireland. He wanted to work for the East India Company. Since Irish surgeon training was not accepted in England, he went to London to get more qualifications.

Life in England

Wentworth sailed to Scotland and then traveled to South Yorkshire. He stayed with his cousin, William Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, 4th Earl Fitzwilliam, at Wentworth Woodhouse. They became lifelong friends. Fitzwilliam helped D'Arcy and gave him advice. He introduced D'Arcy to important people in York and London.

On December 1, 1785, Wentworth took an exam in London. He qualified to work as a surgeon's mate for the East India Company. He needed twelve months of practical experience in a large London hospital. Wentworth worked at St Bartholomew's Hospital. He also attended lectures by famous doctors like John Hunter.

Wentworth waited for a job with the East India Company, but no positions were open. He supported himself by playing cards. In March 1787, his cousin Fitzwilliam helped him get a chance to go to Botany Bay. He was told to go to Portsmouth where the First Fleet was getting ready to sail. He was to meet John White, the main surgeon, on the ship Charlotte. D'Arcy learned he needed another qualification to be a naval surgeon. He studied again and passed his exam on July 5, 1787.

Journey to New South Wales

On January 17, 1790, Wentworth left England on the Neptune. This ship was part of the Second Fleet. It was known for its terrible conditions for convicts. Many convicts died on board due to neglect. Wentworth was a passenger; he did not have a job on the ship or in the Colony. He arrived in Sydney on June 26, 1790. For five weeks, he helped the local surgeons care for the sick convicts.

The Colony was low on food. To help, Governor Arthur Phillip sent many convicts to Norfolk Island. Wentworth went with them on the ship Surprize. He was to help the surgeon there.

Wentworth arrived at Norfolk Island on August 16, 1790. The leader, Lieut. Governor Philip Gidley King, made him an unpaid Assistant Surgeon. On the island, he became friends with Captain John Hunter. Hunter's ship, HMS Sirius, had crashed near the island.

In December 1791, King also made Wentworth the Superintendent of Convicts on Norfolk Island. This meant he was in charge of up to 150 convict workers. In June 1793, his cousin Earl Fitzwilliam helped him become an early trader in the Colony.

Public Service in the Colony

D'Arcy Wentworth worked for thirty-seven years in New South Wales. He served under the first seven governors.

Governor Arthur Phillip

Arthur Phillip, the first Governor, returned to England in 1792. He left Major Francis Grose in charge.

Governor John Hunter

Captain John Hunter became Governor in February 1794. He arrived in Sydney on September 7, 1795. During the time between governors, Major Grose had changed the Colony. He gave land to officers and used convict labor for their farms. Officers also controlled trade.

Governor Hunter allowed D'Arcy Wentworth to leave Norfolk Island. Wentworth returned to Sydney on March 5, 1796. He had worked for six years on the island without a break. He was paid for his work as Superintendent but not as Assistant Surgeon. His cousin Earl Fitzwilliam helped him get paid later.

Soon after Wentworth returned, Governor Hunter made him an Assistant Surgeon at Sydney Cove Hospital. On May 11, 1799, he became Assistant Surgeon at Parramatta. He was in charge of the hospital there.

D'Arcy Wentworth started working at Parramatta Hospital. It was a large, clean hospital with a big vegetable garden. A week later, Governor Hunter gave him a fourteen-year lease on land in Parramatta. Wentworth built a comfortable two-story house there, which he called Wentworth Woodhouse.

Governor Philip Gidley King

Wentworth had been friends with Philip Gidley King on Norfolk Island. But when King became governor in September 1800, he stopped D'Arcy Wentworth's trading. He sent Wentworth back to Norfolk Island.

Governor William Bligh

Captain William Bligh became Governor in August 1806. He had D'Arcy Wentworth face a military trial for disrespect. Wentworth supported Major George Johnston and John Macarthur in removing Governor Bligh from power on January 26, 1808.

Governor Lachlan Macquarie

Lachlan Macquarie arrived in Sydney on January 1, 1810. He quickly made D'Arcy Wentworth the Principal Surgeon. Macquarie respected Wentworth's judgment and gave him many important jobs. Wentworth was very loyal and hardworking. Both men were born in 1762 and shared ideas about progress and a fair society.

On March 31, 1810, Macquarie made D'Arcy Wentworth the Treasurer of the Colonial Police Fund. This meant he was in charge of the Colony's money. He managed funds from customs duties and licenses. This money was used for police, jails, and improving Sydney's streets and buildings. Wentworth gave regular reports to the Governor, which were published in the Sydney Gazette.

Macquarie also appointed Wentworth as a Commissioner for a new road from Sydney to Parramatta. On May 17, 1810, he became one of two Justices of the Peace. On August 11, 1810, D'Arcy Wentworth joined the Court of Civil Jurisdiction.

On October 6, 1810, Macquarie created a single police force for Sydney. He appointed D'Arcy Wentworth as Chief Magistrate and Superintendent of Police. Macquarie told London that Wentworth knew the people well and was perfect for the job. He said Wentworth had earned his full approval and the public's.

In 1814, Macquarie started the Native Institute for the Education of Indigenous Children. D'Arcy Wentworth was on its management committee. Aboriginal people in Sydney trusted Wentworth. They could bring their problems to him as Police Magistrate.

The Rum Hospital

One of Wentworth's big achievements was building a new hospital for Sydney. The old hospitals were in bad shape. Macquarie wanted a new, better hospital. He signed a contract for its construction on November 6, 1810. D'Arcy Wentworth was part of the group of businessmen who built it. The hospital was finished in 1816 and became known as the "Rum Hospital."

Bank of New South Wales

The Colony of New South Wales did not have enough money (coins). People used notes and other items for trade. On April 30, 1810, Macquarie wrote to London about this problem. He said the lack of money made business difficult.

Under D'Arcy Wentworth, the Colonial Fund acted like a bank. It printed notes with different values. Wentworth signed each note to prevent fakes. These notes helped with the shortage of small change.

The idea of a real bank came up in 1810. In February 1817, the Bank of New South Wales was started. Macquarie gave it a special permission to operate. D'Arcy Wentworth was one of its first directors. He later became the bank's president in 1825. The new bank made money transactions easier and helped end the Colony's reliance on other items for currency.

Macquarie and the Emancipists

Governor Macquarie wanted to help emancipists (former convicts who had served their time). He believed that if they behaved well, they should be treated as respected members of society. He appointed them to important jobs. D'Arcy Wentworth likely supported this idea. Macquarie even thought Wentworth was an emancipist himself. He invited Wentworth and other respected emancipists to his table.

Macquarie's approach upset some free settlers and military officers. They complained to London. D'Arcy, working closely with Macquarie, became a target for their complaints.

In May 1818, D'Arcy Wentworth resigned as Principal Surgeon. Macquarie wanted William Redfern, an emancipist and Assistant Surgeon, to take his place. However, a new Commissioner, John Thomas Bigge, opposed this. Wentworth retired as Principal Surgeon on October 23, 1819. He had served for 29 years. The Governor praised his "able, zealous, humane and intelligent" work.

In March 1820, Wentworth resigned as Superintendent of Police. Macquarie again praised his "steady, upright, able and impartial conduct." Six months later, he resigned as Treasurer of the Police Fund. Macquarie gave another public thank you for his "honourable, zealous, and punctual discharge" of duties.

In March 1821, Wentworth's replacement died. Macquarie asked D'Arcy to return as Superintendent of Police and Treasurer. He told London that no one else could do the job. D'Arcy agreed, and his return was welcomed.

On January 31, 1822, Macquarie's 60th birthday, he celebrated with D'Arcy and other friends. On February 12, 1822, Macquarie left Sydney for home. Many people gathered to say goodbye, showing how much they respected him.

Governor Thomas Brisbane

D'Arcy Wentworth continued to serve and advise Macquarie’s successor, Governor Brisbane. He remained Treasurer until April 1824. Brisbane suggested he become chairman of the Court of Quarter Sessions, but Wentworth declined. He did not want to enforce the stricter rules suggested by the Bigge Report. He served as Superintendent of Police until May 19, 1825, when he retired from public life. The magistrates publicly thanked him, saying he was "indebted to his superior information in dispensing Justice."

After retiring, Wentworth was free to openly support the emancipist cause. He worked with his son William Charles for a more independent government for the Colony. In October 1825, he asked Governor Brisbane to allow "respectable" emancipists to be jurors.

In May 1825, Governor Brisbane was called back to England. On October 26, 1825, D'Arcy Wentworth gave a farewell speech to him on behalf of the Emancipists. He also organized a farewell dinner for the Governor.

Governor Ralph Darling

Governor Darling arrived in Sydney on December 17, 1825. He followed the stricter rules from the Bigge Report. His policies made life harder for convicts and excluded emancipists from government jobs.

Under Governor Darling, D'Arcy Wentworth was no longer a government officer. This meant he was free to lead the fight for emancipist rights and trial by jury. He became a leader for these causes. The newspapers faced pressure for criticizing the Governor. D'Arcy was among those who supported freedom of the press and a government elected by the people.

Private Life

On the ship Neptune, Wentworth met Catherine Crowley. She became his partner in the Colony until she died in January 1800. Their son, William Charles, was born at sea on August 13, 1790. They had two more sons, D'Arcy (born 1793) and John (born 1795).

Wentworth tried many times to return to England. In 1802, he sent his two oldest sons, William and D'Arcy, to school in England. In 1805, he sent his youngest son, John, to join them.

In 1807, his cousin Fitzwilliam tried to get him leave to return to London. But Wentworth was not allowed to leave the Colony.

In 1818, Wentworth felt tired and his health was not good. He decided to step back from his public duties. By July 1820, he had resigned from most of his public jobs.

In 1821, Wentworth leased his house Wentworth Woodhouse in Parramatta. He moved to his farm called Home Bush. By 1823, he owned a large amount of land (17,000 acres). He used this land to raise animals for meat for the Colony. He also bred horses, including a famous stallion named Hector. Hector helped create the "Walers," a type of Australian cavalry horse. These horses were exported around the world.

Death

In the winter of 1827, a bad flu spread through the Colony. On Saturday, July 7, 1827, D'Arcy Wentworth died of pneumonia at his farm, Home Bush. On Monday, July 9, a very long funeral procession followed his hearse to Parramatta. D'Arcy Wentworth was buried in St John's cemetery. His tombstone says: "an honest man, the noblest work of God".

He left behind his two grown sons, William Charles and D'Arcy. He also had seven children with Ann Lawes. After his funeral, people gathered to remember his life.

The Monitor newspaper called D'Arcy Wentworth "a lover of liberty" and "a constant and steady friend to the people." The Australian newspaper noted his skill as a doctor, especially his kindness to patients and his special care for children. It also praised him as a "just and impartial Magistrate." The Sydney Gazette said he "devoted the best part of his eventful life to the service of its public."

Recognition

Several places in Sydney and New South Wales are named Wentworth, honoring D'Arcy and his son, William Charles. These include the suburbs of Wentworthville and Wentworth Point, and the town of Wentworth. Darcy Street in Parramatta is named after him. Woodhouse Lane in Parramatta is named after his house, Wentworth Woodhouse. In 1824, explorer Hamilton Hume named a mountain Mount Wentworth after D'Arcy Wentworth. Later, it was renamed Mount Macedon.