Rev. Henry Fulton

48

Naomi Parsons on 27th January 2025

A Family Birth Cover Up? The following concerns Rev Fulton's assigned servants Mary Long and James Lewis Donovan and Fulton's son, John Walker Fulton in 1822-24. Mary Long was employed by Reverend Henry Fulton by 1822, then married another employee of Rev Fulton, convict James Lewis Donovan (ship- Atlas) who had been a Canadian Army musician, on New Years Eve 1822 at Castlereagh. In April the following year both Mary and her husband were to be transferred to Port Dalrymple in Van Diemen's Land and a letter was sent to the Penrith Magistrates to forward them both to Sydney for departure. However, unknown to the magistrates, Mary had had a child and given birth to a daughter, Mary Ann, that March with another man, recorded as John Fulton (ship- Chapman) and once this was discovered, in June, still in Sydney, Mary was to be immediately returned to the female factory at Parramatta. Something is very awry with this, especially with the duplication of the surname Fulton- John Fulton of the ship Chapman was a long term prisoner at Port Macquarie and nowhere near Penrith/Castlereagh; however, Reverend Henry Fulton, had a son, John Walker Fulton, a magistrates clerk, aged about 20. My belief is that he is the actual father of Mary Ann, hence her rushed marriage to James Lewis, a fellow employee, apparent rush to send them both to Van Diemen's Land and then quickly rescinding this and sending Mary and her daughter to the female factory. Although its not known whether James Lewis was forced to marry Mary or had agreed to support her, after this, they went their separate ways and indeed are never referred to as husband/wife and he was also never sent to Van Diemen's Land. He committed a number of further crimes, was jailed and was dead by October 1825. The same month, the general muster recorded that Mary had died in the female factory and her daughter was now in the female orphan's school.

75

iain Frazier on 22nd May 2024

Family connections for Henry (Fulton) are: Some amendments added Jul 2025. FULTON Henry (Fulton) was born in 1761 in England & became a CofE clergyman & school teacher. He attended Trinity College Dublin Ireland from 1788 & graduated with a Batchelor of Arts in 1792; becoming clergyman at Killaloe co. Clare. He married Ann (Walker). In 1798 he was involved in the 'Wolfe-Tone' Irish Rebellion & was tried for High Treason at Tipperary, sentenced to Life & arrived in NSW as an exile/convict with his family on 11 1 1800 after a voyage of 4.5months on MINERVA. He was issued a Conditional Pardon/emancipated in November 1800, conducted services at Hawkesbury from 7 12 1800 & was the first teacher in secondary education in the colony. He was sent to Norfolk Island as chaplain, with his family, in February 1801-Ref:'People...' has him arriving in 1799. He found that many of the islanders who had opportunities to marry or baptise their children had not done so with predecessors Rev James (Bain) & Rev Samuel (Marsden), but he gained rapport with them & they let him perform the ceremonies. He was responsible for the BDM records we now refer to. He was recorded as Free by Servitude chaplain on Norfolk Island in February 1805-owning about 40goats, 1third of the islands total. He was issued a Full Pardon in December 1805. He returned to Sydney with his family on 5 4 1806 to replace Rev Samuel Marsden & settled at Toongabbie. However he supported William (Bligh) around 1808 & was suspended from office, although he continued his support by writing letters & other activities. After this famous trouble he was reinstated, assistant chaplain, on 18 1 1810. He travelled to UK as witness in a court martial, returning in 1812 on MARY. In 1814 he was appointed chaplain at Castlereagh - & magistrate. He established a school & worked for the betterment of education in Ireland. He died on 17 11 1840 age79 & was buried at Christ Church Castlereagh. [Some details taken from this Website] Ann (Walker) arrived in NSW with her family on 11 1 1800 after a voyage of 4.5months on MINERVA. She went to Norfolk Island with her family in February 1801-Ref:'People...' has her arriving in 1799. She was recorded on stores on Norfolk Island in February 1805. She returned to Sydney with her family on 5 4 1806. She died about 1836 & was buried at Christ Church Castlereagh. Henry (Fulton) Rev & Ann (Walker) produced 8children: 1.Thomas William (Fulton) was born in Ireland. He arrived in NSW with his parents on 11 1 1800 after a voyage of 4.5months on MINERVA. He went to Norfolk Island with his parents in February 1801-not mentioned in Ref:'People...'; but a Thomas (Fulton) is separately mentioned as being on the island-with no information. 2.James Walker (Fulton) was born on 6 3 1796 in Ireland. He arrived in NSW with his parents on 11 1 1800 after a voyage of 4.5months on MINERVA. He died on 8 11 1800 age3 & was buried at St Phillips CofE Sydney. 3.Jane (Fulton) was born on 24 12 1799 in Ireland. She arrived in NSW with her parents on 11 1 1800 after a voyage of 4.5months on MINERVA. She went to Norfolk Island with her parents in February 1801-Ref:'People...' has her arriving in 1799. She died on 13 12 1801 age2- on Norfolk Island. 4.Sarah Le/yland (Fulton) was born on 11 11 1800 & baptised on 7 12 1800 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She went to Norfolk Island with her parents in February 1801-Ref:'People...' has her arriving in 1799. She was recorded as child >2years on stores on Norfolk Island in February 1805. She went to Sydney with her parents on 5 4 1806. She married John (McHenry) on 1 12 1821 at Christ Church Castlereagh. She died on 6 11 1853 age53-. ..John (McHenry) was born about 1789. He arrived in Australia free in 1819 on MARY. He was recorded in 1826 as a General Post Managar & 1830 as a settler. He was buried at Christ Church Castlereagh. ..Sarah Leland (Fulton) & John (McHenry) produced at least 4children: ..1.Margaret Anna (McHenry) was born on 2 8 1824 & baptised on 78 1824 at Christ Church Castlereagh. She died in 1921 age about96. ..2.Jane Amelia (McHenry) was born on 29 6 1826 at Evan & baptised on 4 7 1826 at Christ Church Castlereagh. She died in 1906 age about80. ..3.John (McHenry) was born in 1829. He died in 1873 age about44. ..4.Francis (McHenry) was born on 3 12 1830 at Evan & baptised on 5 12 1830 at Christ Church Castlereagh. .. 5.John Walker (Fulton) was born on 3 5 1803 & baptised on 3 6 1803 on Norfolk Island. He was recorded as child <2years on stores on Norfolk Island in February 1805. He went to Sydney with his parents on 5 4 1806. He married Elizabeth (Cartwright) on 2 12 1823 at St Lukes CofE Liverpool. He was recorded in 1830 as a settler. He died on 9 1 1850 age46 & was buried at Christ Church Castlereagh. ..Elizabeth (Cartwright) arrived in NSW with her parents on 27 2 1810 after a voyage of 7months on ANNE. ..Details of Elizabeth (Cartwright)s family are given BELOW. ..John Walker (Fulton) & Elizabeth (Cartwright) produced at least 4children: mainly girls ..1.Maria Theresa Mary (Fulton) was born on 24 11 1824 & baptised on 23 5 1825 at Christ Church Castlereagh. ..2.Ann Amelia (Fulton) was born on 3 6 1826 & baptised on 16 7 1826 at St Lukes CofE Liverpool. ..3.Mary (Fulton) was born on 3 5 1828 & baptised on 31 8 1828 at St Lukes CofE Liverpool. ..4.Arthur Robert (Fulton) was born on 3 10 1830 & baptised on 21 11 1830 at Christ Church Castlereagh. .. 6.Lydia Margaret (Fulton) was born on 10 9 1805 at Evan & baptised on on 29 9 1805 on Norfolk Island. She went to Sydney with her parents on 5 4 1806. She married Alexander (Fraser) emancipist on 8 10 1827 at Christ Church Castlereagh & produced 10children. She was recorded in 1828 with her husband in Evan district & also recorded in 1830. She died on 15 8 1870 age64 & was buried in family plot at Christ Church Castlereagh. ..Alexander (Fraser) son of James & Magdelina (Anderson) was born on 30 6 1797 in Edinburgh & became a grazier. He was tried for stealing at Edinburgh Court of Justiciary, sentenced to 7years & arrived in NSW as a convict on 5 4 1818 after a voyage of 6months on BATAVIA; he was Protestant; he was assigned to Rev. Henry (Fulton) at Christ Churc Castlereagh & employed at Glebe schoolhouse. In 1827 he lived on 60acres near to Glebe. He became Clerk of Court in Penrith courthouse & first Penrith Postmaster. He became secretary of Bridge Building Committee for building of first bridge over Hawkesbury River & secretary of MUIOOF (Oddfellows/Freemasons?) Lodge. He was recorded in 1828 with his wife as Clerk to the Bench in Evan district & in 1830 as a settler. He died on 14 2 1866 age66 & was buried in family plot at Christ Church Castlereagh. ..[Some details taken from this Website] ..Details of Alexander (Fraser)s family are given ABOVE. .. 7.Henry Matthias (Fulton) was born on 19 12 1807 & baptised on 7 2 1808 at St Phillips CofE Sydney-although he is recorded in Ref:'...' as arriving on Norfolk Island with his parents in 1799. He married Frances Jane (West) on 22 1 1827 at Christ Church Castlereagh. He died on 20 3 1891 age83. ..Frances Jane (West) was born about 1808. She arrived in Australia with her parents in 1821 on WESTMORELAND. ..Details of Frances Jane (West)s family are given BELOW. .. 8.Ann Elizabeth (Fulton) was born on 7 9 1810 & baptised on 10 2 1811 at St Phillips CofE Sydney. She died on 13 3 1851 age39. CARTWRIGHT Some amendments added Jun 2025. Robert (Cartwright) married Mary (Boardman) in Lancashire. He arrived in NSW as chaplain with his family on 27 2 1810 after a voyage of 7months on ANNE. He was referred to as Rev (Cartwright) in 1812. Mary (Boardman) arrived in NSW with her family on 27 2 1810 after a voyage of 7months on ANNE. She was referred to as Mary Ann (Boardman) in 1812. Robert (Cartwright) & Mary (Boardman) produced 11children: 1.Ann/e (Cartwright) was born on 18 10 1800 in Lancashire. She arrived in NSW with her parents on 27 2 1810 after a voyage of 7months on ANNE. She married Richard (Sadlier) on 14 12 1830 at St Lukes CofE Liverpool. ..Richard (Sadlier) was born about 1794. He came to Australia free. 2.Elizabeth (Cartwright) was born on 18 2 1804 in Lancashire. She arrived in NSW with her parents on 27 2 1810 after a voyage of 7months on ANNE. She married John Walker (Fulton) on 2 12 1823 at St Lukes CofE Liverpool. ..John Walker (Fulton) was born on 3 5 1803 & baptised on 3 6 1803 on Norfolk Island. He went to Sydney with his parents in 1806. He was recorded in 1826 as a farmer. He died on 9 1 1850 age46. ..Details of John Walker (Fulton)s family are given ABOVE. .. 3.Richard Cornelius (Cartwright) was born on 14 1 1806 in Lancashire. He arrived in NSW with his parents on 27 2 1810 after a voyage of 7months on ANNE. 4.Thomas Charles (Cartwright) was born on 12 2 1808 in Lancashire. He arrived in NSW with his parents on 27 2 1810 after a voyage of 7months on ANNE. 5.John (Cartwright) was born on 13 3 1809 in Lancashire. He arrived in NSW with his parents on 27 2 1810 after a voyage of 7months on ANNE. 6.William (Cartwright) was born on 2 10 1811 & baptised on 13 11 1811 at St Matthews CofE Windsor. He died on 5/7 1 1812 age3m at Windsor & was buried at St Matthews CofE Windsor. 7.Mary (Cartwright) was born on 21 5 1814 at Sefton Cottage & baptised on 15 9 1814 at St Matthews CofE Windsor. 8.Robert Marsden (Cartwright) was born on 30 5 1815 & baptised on 10 10 1815 at St Matthews CofE Windsor. 9.Jane Catherine (Cartwright) was born on 11 7 1816 at Sefton Cottage & baptised on 3 9 1816 at St Matthews CofE Windsor. She died on 18 12 1889 age73. 10.Charles (Cartwright) was born on 14 9 1817 at Sefton Cottage & baptised on 25 3 1818 at St Johns CofE Parramatta. He died on 26 12 1877 age60. 11.Penelope (Cartwright) was born on 30 5 1822. She died on 17 6 1822 age18d & was buried at St Lukes CofE Liverpool. REFERENCES Craig James Smee 'Births and Baptisms Marriages and Defacto Relationships Deaths and Burials New South Wales 1788-1830' ..a complete listing from church & other records in the early colony. Irene Schaffer & Thelma McKay 'Exiled Three Times Over! Profiles of Norfolk Islanders Exiled in Van Diemens Land 1807-1813' James Hugh Donohoe 'Norfolk Island 1788-1813-The People and Their Families' Reg Wright 'Forgotten Generation of Norfolk Island & Van Diemens Land'

343

Maureen Withey on 16th May 2020

Death. On Thursday, the 4th instant, at Castlereagh House, Ann, the wife of the Rev. Henry Fulton, aged seventy, much and sincerely regretted, for her piety, virtue, and exemplary life. The Australian, 19 Aug 1836. REV. HENRY FULTON. The First Schoolmaster. (BY F. WALKER.) The first teacher to take up the work of secondary education in Australia was the Rev. Henry Fulton. He arrived In Sydney by the ship Minerva on January 13, 1800. He had been accused of taking part in the Irish rebellion of 1798, and was deported in consequence. After a short stay in Sydney, when he obtained his freedom, he was appointed assistant chaplain. He established a church In the Castlereagh district about 1823, which was demolished in 1878. Like the first places of worship in Windsor, Wilberforce, and Richmond, the Castlereagh church was intended to be used for educational purposes, as well as for religious work. It was 60ft long by 20ft wide, and was built of bricks made in the locality, but during the latter years of its existence the walls were whitewashed. The roof was pitched low, and covered with shingles, split near Llandhlo, South Creek. The main entrance door was flanked by six square windows, three on each side, and the front of the building was sheltered by a verandah, which ran the full length of the structure. Attached to the wall at the rear were two small rooms, 10ft long and covered with a skillion roof. These apartments were intended for the schoolmaster's residence, hence the fireplace and chimney, which caused the building to be known as "the church with a chimney." The beams of the roof were all exposed inside, and an old resident remembers seeing the opossum sleeping on the rafters during divine service. The pulpit stood at the end shown in the sketch. When St. Stephen's Church, Penrith, was opened, the more important people worshipped there, and Castlereagh became a separate district; but its little old church was the pioneer place of worship, and its original registers date back to 1824, the first three entries being written in an old "exercise book." The first entries in the official register of the parish of Castlereagh date from January 1, 1826, and the signature of the Rev. Henry Fulton is exactly the same as that with which he attests in the register of St Peter's, Richmond, the death and burial of Margaret Catchpole. Although every vestige of the old church at Castlereagh has gone, the old burial ground remains unaltered, although it, too, has suffered through the neglect of generations. The oldest date on any of the stones is 1814. On December 26, 1826, a book of poems, dedicated to his teacher, the Rev. Henry Fulton, was published by one Charles Thompson. This is probably the only record of Fulton's work in scholastic circles. After a few years his pastoral duties made such demands upon him that he abandoned his school and left the work of teaching in other hands. In 1807, during the absence of the Rev. Samuel Marsden in England, Fulton took over the duties of chaplain. A tablet in St. Stephen's Church, Penrith, to his memory, reads as follows: To "The Glory of God and in memory of the Rev. Henry Fulton, first incumbent of this Church, who died 10th November, 1840, erected by his descendants on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the Church. Sydney Morning Herald, 13 Feb 1937. -------------------------------------------------- DEATH. After a short illness, at the Parsonage, Castle- reagh, on the 17th instant, the Rev. Henry Fulton, B. A., aged 79. He departed this life a glorious instance of those Gospel truths he inculcated from the pulpit for the last forty years — his latter moments were calm and peaceful, his hopes of another and a better state rested solely on the all sufficiency of a crucified Redeemer. It may truly be said he never made an enemy or lost a friend. sydney Gazette, 21 Nov 1840.

60

Eric Harry Daly on 25th December 2012

HENRY FULTON, CONVICT, CLERGYMAN OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND AND SCHOOL TEACHER Fulton was born in England and educated at Trinity College, Dublin from 1788, graduating B.A. in 1792. In the late 1790s he was a clergyman in the Diocese of Killaloe, Ireland. Fulton became involved in the Irish Rebellion of 1798 and sentenced to penal transportation to New South Wales. Though sometimes afterwards referred to as an ex-convict, he was really a political prisoner. The bishop of Derry, in a letter to the archbishop of Canterbury written in August 1807, incorrectly stated that Fulton "agreed to transport himself for life to Botany Bay", as had seven of seventy-three political prisoners sailing on the Minerva with him. Fulton left Ireland with his wife and son on 24 August 1799, and shared the same cabin with Joseph Holt (Memoirs of Joseph Holt, vol. II, p. 33). They arrived at Sydney on 11 January 1800. Fulton was conditionally emancipated in November, and began to conduct services at the Hawkesbury on 7 December. In February 1801 he was sent to Norfolk Island to act as chaplain, in December 1805 he received a full pardon from Governor King, and in 1806 he returned to Sydney to take up the duties of Samuel Marsden who had been given leave of absence. At the time of the revolt against William Bligh, Fulton stood by him and, showing no disposition to yield to the officers, was suspended from his office as chaplain. On 18 May 1808 he wrote to Bligh testifying to his justice and impartiality, and in April and July 1808 and on 14 February 1809 and 23 March 1809, he wrote letters to Viscount Castlereagh giving accounts of what had happened and severely censuring the conduct of the officers. Immediately after the arrival of Governor Macquarie Fulton was reinstated as assistant chaplain. He went to England as a witness at the court martial of Colonel Johnston, and returned to Sydney in 1812. In 1814 Fulton was appointed chaplain at Castlereagh, New South Wales and was made a magistrate. He also established a school and had for a pupil Charles Tompson who dedicated his volume Wild Notes from the Lyre of a Native Minstrel to Fulton. This was the first volume of verse written by a native-born Australian and published in Australia. The first poem in the book "Retrospect" has complimentary references to Fulton, as a teacher and as a man. In 1833 Fulton was still chaplain at Castlereagh, and in that year published a pamphlet of some forty pages entitled Strictures Upon a Letter Lately Written by Roger Therry, Esquire, and in 1836 his name appears as a member of a sub-committee at Penrith formed to work against the introduction of the system of national education then established in Ireland. Fulton died at the parsonage, Castlereagh, on 17 November 1840. Fulton lost his living in Ireland on account of his sympathy for the Irish, and in Australia again went against his own interests in supporting Bligh. He was married and had one son and three daughters. His wife predeceased him by four years