William Dawes (British Marines officer) facts for kids

William Nicolas Dawes (born 1762, died 1836) was a very talented British officer. He was a Royal Marine, an astronomer (someone who studies stars), an engineer, a botanist (someone who studies plants), a surveyor (someone who maps land), and an explorer. He was also an abolitionist, meaning he worked to end slavery. William Dawes traveled to New South Wales in Australia with the First Fleet on the ship HMS Sirius.

Early Life and Military Service

William Dawes was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, in early 1762. He was the oldest child of Benjamin and Elizabeth Dawes. His father worked for the Ordnance Office in Portsmouth.

He joined the marines as a Second Lieutenant in 1779. He was injured in a battle against the French Navy in 1781 during the Battle of the Chesapeake.

Dawes volunteered to join the New South Wales Marine Corps, which sailed with the First Fleet to Australia. Because he was a skilled astronomer, he was asked to set up an observatory (a place for studying stars) and make observations during the long voyage and once they arrived in New South Wales.

Adventures in New South Wales

From March 1788, Dawes worked as an engineer and surveyor in the new settlement. He built the first Sydney Observatory on what is now called Dawes Point. This spot is near the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

In his many roles, Dawes did a lot for the new colony. He made important astronomical observations. He also built forts at the entrance to Sydney Cove. He helped plan the government farm and laid out the first streets and land plots in Sydney and Parramatta.

Dawes also joined several trips to explore the mountains west of Sydney, beyond the Nepean River. He was part of the first attempt to cross the Blue Mountains. His skills in calculating distances and making maps were very helpful for the new colony.

Studying Aboriginal Culture

Dawes was also very interested in learning about the local Eora people. He became good friends with a teenage Aboriginal girl named Patyegarang. She stayed in his hut and taught him her language. Dawes became very knowledgeable about the Aboriginal language. Patyegarang even complimented his language skills, saying "Mr. Dawes budyiri karaga," which means "Mr. Dawes pronounces well."

Challenges with Governor Phillip

Dawes thought about staying in Australia permanently. He wanted to farm part-time but also have a secure official job. In 1791, he was offered a position as an engineer. However, Governor Arthur Phillip said Dawes would only get the job if he apologized for two past incidents.

One incident involved Dawes buying flour from a convict during a food shortage. Governor Phillip said this was against the rules. Dawes argued that the flour was the convict's own property to sell.

The second incident happened in December 1790. A British game-keeper, John MacIntyre, was killed by an Aboriginal man named Pemulwuy. The British authorities planned a harsh response against the Aboriginal people. Dawes believed the game-keeper was partly to blame for the conflict. He refused to join the expedition, even though it was a direct order from Governor Phillip. He was eventually convinced to go by the chaplain, but afterwards, he publicly said he regretted obeying the order.

Governor Phillip was very upset by what he saw as Dawes' disobedience. Dawes refused to take back his statement or apologize for either incident. Because of this, he was sent back to England in December 1791 on HMS Gorgon.

Despite these problems, Dawes was a very valuable person for the colony. Dawes Point in Sydney is named after him.

Work in Sierra Leone

Back in England, Dawes met William Wilberforce, a famous person who fought against slavery. Wilberforce was impressed by Dawes. In 1792, Dawes was chosen to go to Sierra Leone in Africa. This colony was founded as a home for Black Loyalists, African-Americans who had gained freedom by helping Britain during the American War of Independence. Dawes worked there with the governor, John Clarkson.

First Term as Governor

Dawes served as governor of Sierra Leone for a time. His first term had some difficulties. He upset many colonists when he insisted they move to new land plots, following orders from England.

Some colonists were frustrated with Dawes. One colonist, Anna Maria Falconbridge, said Dawes became annoyed and threatened to return to England. The colonists shouted "Go! Go! Go!" They blamed him for decisions made by his superiors. One minister even called Dawes "Pharaoh," encouraging people to resist his rule.

Dawes truly wanted to help the people of Sierra Leone. However, his strong religious beliefs and his disagreements with local ministers caused problems. His health suffered from stress and the difficult climate. He returned to England in 1794. Soon after, he married Judith Rutter and they had three children.

Later Terms and Anti-Slavery Work

Despite the earlier challenges, Dawes returned to Sierra Leone for a second term as governor in 1795, staying until 1796. In 1799, he became a mathematics teacher at Christ's Hospital school. While teaching, he spoke to a committee of the House of Lords about regulating the slave trade.

In 1801, he went back to Sierra Leone for his third and final term as governor, leaving in 1803. During this time, he was offered the governorship of the Seychelles but turned it down.

Later Years and Legacy

Dawes finally returned to England in 1804. He settled in London and later moved to Bledlow. There, he trained missionaries for the Church Missionary Society.

After his first wife, Judith, died, William married Grace Gilbert in 1811. She was a great support to him.

William Wilberforce encouraged Dawes to continue his work against the slave trade in Antigua. This work was difficult and unpaid, but Dawes agreed. In 1813, he traveled to Antigua with his wife and daughter. Despite often being unwell, his efforts were very successful. He mainly focused on starting and running schools for the children of enslaved people.

William Dawes died in Antigua in 1836. He was known for his great ability and strong character. People said he was never properly recognized or paid fairly for his important work.

Children

William Dawes and his first wife, Judith Rutter, had four children:

• Judith Dawes, born in 1795. She married in Antigua and had at least two sons.
• William Rutter Dawes, born in 1797, but sadly died as a baby in 1798.
• William Rutter Dawes, born in 1799. He became a clergyman and a well-known astronomer. He was very supportive of his father and stepmother in their later years.
• John Macaulay Dawes, born in 1800, named after William's friend Zachary Macaulay. He died in infancy.