From Convict to Trooper: George Cupitt's Land Grant Journey

George Cupitt: When Is A Convict Not A Convict? When He's A Trooper. A printed letter from the Colonial Secretary's Office, 11th November, 1830 to George Cupitt of South Creek, via Windsor (New South Wales) in which he is invited to make a selection of land, '..you having executed the necessary Engagement [and] that you will reside thereon and cultivate it during the Period of Seven Years..' followed by a listing of available properties from which he was to make his selection of a 'Small Grant' and signed by Thomas Harington, the 'unofficial' Assistant Colonial Secretary. George Cupitt [1777 - 1846] had enlisted in the 17th (Leicestershire) Regiment of Foot on 14 Feb 1792. He and 42 other privates deserted. Cupitt was arrested and tried for desertion. He was sentenced to 7 years at Savoy Military Prison in London. At the time, the government was recruiting for 'volunteers' to join the NSW Regiment. Cupitt volunteered, having been given a choice of spending 7 years in prison or volunteering for the NSW Corps. With his acceptance of the posting he received a conditional pardon on condition that he never return to the UK. He travelled with his wife to the colony aboard the ship 'Ganges' which arrived on 2 June 1797. During the journey records show Cupitt was a guard to the Irish convicts on board and was paid for 1 shilling per day for his service. It is also recorded that he took part in quashing the Irish rebellion, the Battle of Vinegar Hill on 4 Mar 1804. He retired from the regiment on 25 Sept. 1823 aged 46 after 32 years of service. After his retirement, Cupitt chose a land grant in lieu of a pension. Governor Brisbane's letter of October 1823 granting 100 acres within surveyed lands was lost and it took until June 1830 after much correspondence that Governor Darling granted him 100 acres in the County of Castlereagh, bounded on the east by the road leading from Richmond to the Cowpastures, with Rickaby's Creek meandering through it. It was known as Cupitt's Farm in an area known as Londonderry. He received another grant of 80 acres, the subject of the present document. In the interim George purchased 32 rods of land from Rev. Samuel Marsden for £12/4/6 in George Street Windsor. This parcel of land remained with the family for 157 years until sold by Jack Holman in 1981. The Cupitt Farm produced wheat for the colony.