Richard Craig (adventurer) facts for kids

Richard Craig (1812 – 14 July 1855) was an early settler in the Australian colony of New South Wales. He worked as a stockman, looking after cattle, and a drover, moving animals over long distances. Richard Craig had a very interesting life, starting in Ireland and becoming an important guide in the Australian bush.

Early Life in Australia

Richard Craig was born in Ireland in 1812. When he was eight years old, his father was sent to Australia as a convict. Richard, even though he was not a convict, sailed with his father to New South Wales. He arrived in Sydney on January 9, 1821, when he was nine years old.

In 1825, Richard's father was sent to Port Macquarie, a settlement about 400 kilometers north of Sydney. During this time, Richard explored the land around Port Macquarie. He also became friends with the Aboriginal people and learned their language. This knowledge would be very helpful to him later in life.

A Difficult Start

In 1828, when Richard was 16, he faced a tough situation. He was sent to Moreton Bay to work. This was a difficult place, and he tried to escape twice in 1829. Each time, he was caught and brought back.

He escaped again in December 1830. This time, he made an amazing journey south through the bush. He traveled towards the New England area and then to Port Macquarie.

Living in the Bush

Richard spent almost a year living with Aboriginal people near the Clarence River. During this time, he learned a lot about the land and its rivers. He became very familiar with the area.

In late 1831, he finally arrived at Port Macquarie. He shared important information about the rivers and rich grazing lands he had seen in northern New South Wales. Because of this valuable information, he was allowed to stay at Port Macquarie.

Becoming a Free Man

By 1836, Richard Craig was a free man. He moved to Maclean, which is on the Clarence River. He started working as a guide in the Clarence River area. He was very good at finding paths through places that no one else had explored.

One of his first jobs as a guide was for Thomas Small in 1838. Richard's reports about the "Big River" (which was later named the Clarence River) inspired Small to send a ship there. This ship, the Susan, was the first European vessel to enter the river.

Richard used his special knowledge of the land to create a path called "Craig's Line." This path connected Guy Fawkes (near Ebor) to The Settlement (now South Grafton). Craig's Line was very important because it helped new settlers travel from the New England Tableland into the Clarence Valley.

In 1843, Richard was in charge of a property called Eatonsville, also on the Clarence River. He later became a butcher again. Richard Craig married Anne Baker, and they had six sons and one daughter. He passed away on July 14, 1855, in Grafton, after falling from a horse.