Merideth, Frederick

Other Events:

• Mentioned: 26 Jan 1788, Sydney, NSW
• Mentioned: 23 Feb 1788
• Mentioned: 1 May 1788, Garden Island, NSW
• Mentioned: 2 May 1788, Garden Island, NSW
• Mentioned: 14 Apr 1790, Norfolk Island
• Mentioned: Sep 1800
• Mentioned: 15 Oct 1809, Georges River, Sydney, NSW
• Mentioned: 5 Jan 1811, Sydney, NSW
• Mentioned: 1 Mar 1828, Liverpool, NSW
• Mentioned: 13 Nov 2013, Garden Island, NSW; http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/first-fleet-sailors-relatives-drawn-by-20131117-2xp89.html

Notes:

Mentioned:
Description: Frederick arrived with the first fleet as a cook/baker on the H.M.S. Sirius

Mentioned:
Description: Frederick received lashes for exchanging rum for a possum.

Frederick was charged with giving run to a convict in exchange for a possum. Sentenced to 100 lashes which was later reduced to 50.

Although Frederick would presumably have been busy during the following weeks helping to unload the ship and may even have been present when Governor Phillip had the flag raised to mark the founding of the new Colony, there is no mention of Meredith in the official records until 23 February. On that day Frederick appeared before a Magistrate charged with having given rum to a convict in exchange for what was called a 'squirrel' which was probably a possum. This was a very serious charge as Governor Phillip had expressly forbidden anyone to give liquor to the convicts for fear that they would get drunk and cause trouble - as they often did. Frederick was found guilty of the charge and sentenced to receive 100 lashes. However, it is clear from the records, and especially from the journal kept by the Surgeon Arthur Bowes-Srnyth, that the young man was only doing what Captain Marshall had told him to. Marshall, together with other gentlemen who apparently respected Meredith, took up his case with the Governer Phillip who must have been suficiently impressed by these representations as he reduced the sentence to 50 lashes. Frederick was the fourth person to appear before a magistrate in the new colony.

Mentioned:
Description: Frederick carved "FM 1788" in a rock.

This is known as Australia's oldest "white" graffiti.

Mentioned:
Description: Frederick grew crops on Garden Island.

In their spare time some of the crew of the Sirius were assigned to preparing a garden to grow corn and onions on what was later to be called Garden Island. Here Frederick left his mark for posterity by carving his initials on a rock where they can be seen to this day. As a member of the crew of the Sirius, Frederick would have made a number of voyages to Norfolk Island and on one occasion after visiting the Cape of Good Hope circumnavigated the globe.

Mentioned:
Description: He was on the H.M.S. Sirius when it was wrecked off Norfolk Island

He was part of the crew of the HMS Sirius (under Captain Hunter) when it was wrecked on Norfolk Island on 14th April 1790. Frederick and some others of the crew later returned to Port Jackson on HMS Supply.

Mentioned:
Description: He became a member of the Loyal Sydney Association

When he was selected as one and became a member of the Loyal Sydney Association under the command of William Balmain.

Following reports of intended rebellion by the Irish convicts, Governor Hunter issued an order commanding 'all civil officers and such housekeepers who are freemen, possessing property, and good characters in the town of Sydney to assemble and from amongst these, fifty men were to be chosen as armed-police under the command of the 'civil officers'. Frederick Meredith was selected as one and became a member of the Loyal Sydney Association under the command of William Balmain. They were enrolled on the condition that 'they are not to expect pay for the voluntary offer of their services'. The existence of this "militia force" was not continuous but it existed for varying periods over the next 10 years.

Mentioned:
Description: Frederick had his ear grazed in an encounter with aborigines.

On Sunday 15th October 1809, the Sydney Gazette published the following report: 'On Tuesday last a number of natives assembled about the farm of Mr Bond at Georges River and behaved in a very outrageous manner. They manifested an inclination to plunder but were prevented by the determination that was shown to resist them. They threw several spears one of which grazed the ear of Mr F Meredith who assisted in the defence of the place which it was at length found necessary to abandon. The Aboriginal or Koori warriors involved in this affray were members of the Sydney tribes who put up resistance to the white occupation of their lands.'

Mentioned:
When Governor Macquarie formed the first regular police force in Australia into which Frederick was appointed as Constable. He later became the first Chief Constable at Liverpool.

Mentioned:
Description: Frederick was the first post master of the Liverpool Post Office.

Liverpool was one of the first country areas to open a Post Office in 1828. The first postmaster was Mr Meredith. The population of 'Liverpool town and district' was 949.

Frederick married Allen, Mary. Mary died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

1. Merideth, Charlotte was born 9 May 1790, Sydney, NSW; died May 1792.

Frederick married Case, Anne. Anne died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

1. Merideth, Amelia was born 10 May 1793; died Yes, date unknown.

Frederick married Kirk, Mary Abt 1793. Mary was born Abt 1767, England; died 30 Jul 1832, Liverpool, NSW; was buried 1 Aug 1832, Pioneer Memorial Park, Liverpool, Nsw. [Group Sheet]

1. Merideth, Charlotte was born 11 Jun 1794; died 5 Mar 1852.

Frederick married Mason, Sarah 26 Feb 1811, St Phillips Church, Sydney, NSW. Sarah was born 1777, England; died 30 Jul 1832, Liverpool, NSW; was buried 1 Aug 1832, Pioneer Memorial Park, Liverpool, Nsw. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Description: Frederick and Sarah spent their final years living at Bankstown, where father and son, Frederick had each received grants

1. Merideth, Frederick (Jnr) was born 17 Jan 1801; died Yes, date unknown.
2. Merideth, William died Yes, date unknown.
3. Merideth, Sophia died Yes, date unknown.
4. Merideth, Elizabeth died Yes, date unknown.
5. Merideth, Ann died Yes, date unknown.
6. Merideth, Eleanor died Yes, date unknown.

Frederick married Day, Anne 19 Feb 1833, St Lukes, Liverpool, , New South Wales, Australia. Anne died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Description: Anne was a widow and Fredrick's fifth wife. Frederick married within 6 months of the death of his previous wife, Sarah