George CUPITT b. 09 Mar 1777 Newmarket Farm Higham Derbyshire England UK d. 14 Jun 1846 Windsor NSW.
George joined the 17th. Regiment of Foot Leicestershire 14-2-1793 just 3 weeks before his 15th birthday. He could not read or write but did learn to sign his name. He served in Ireland until 6th. December1795 when he went AWOL with42 other privates. He ended up in prison at the Savoy Military Prison in London on the 6th August 1796 where he was sentenced for 7 years for desertion. He was asked to enlist with the NSW Corps or languish in jai. He was transfered to the 102nd Regiment on 11th August 1796 and given Conditional Pardon (Never to return to the UK)
He migrated to Australia in 1797 with his wife on "Ganges" transporting 203 Irish convicts acting as a guard for 1 shilling per day as a private. They arrived 2nd June 1797. George transferred between regiments In NSW to avoid the 4 year turn around of the military.
He was discharged on 24-9-1823 and chose a land grant in lieu of a pension. Governor Brisbane's letter 28-10-1823 granting 100 acres within surveyed lands was lost and it took until 1830 after much correspondence that Governor Darling granted 100 acres at Castlereigh "Cupitt's Farm"
During the wait 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 and notes in the 1824 Sydney Gazette recorded tenders from Mary Cupitt to supply 100 bushels @ six shillings and six pence and Mr. George Cupitt to supply 100 bushels at the same rate.
"In the name of God, Amen, I George Cupitt of the District of Evan in the colony of NSW, Farmer, being very sick and weak of Body but perfect mind and memory and knowing that it is appointed of all men once to die, do make this my last Will and Testament. First of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it, and my body I commend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executors and as touching such worldly estate herewith it has pleased God to bless me in the following manner" He made his son George executer of his will and bequeathed the three properties that he had acquired to his three youngest children Eliza, James and Matilda with the proviso that on their deaths that the properties would then pass to his three grandsons George, Thomas and James the eldest of George and Sara?s brood.
arried Mary WICKS b. 1777 ? d. 15 Jun 1845 Windsor NSW Australia.
10 children. Contact for data.