Description

Extended Data

Birth Place

Market Deeping, Lincolnshire, England, UK

Biography

sketcher(?), naval officer and settler, was born on 2 August 1788 at Market Deeping, Lincolnshire. After joining the navy and fighting against the French, Hardwicke came to Sydney on 7 February 1814 as third officer in the convict transport General Hewitt . Disgusted with the experience, he gained permission from Governor Macquarie to remain in Australia and in 1816 settled in Van Diemen’s Land, taking up land at Norfolk Plains (Longford). A young Aboriginal girl, Plorenernoopperner, known as Fanny, who had been abducted from the Piper River people, was a member of his household. On 12 January 1820 Fanny was baptised by Rev. John Youl in St John’s Church of England, Launceston, at which time she was reputedly 11 years old. Her charming watercolour portrait, wearing a pink-spotted muslin dress and holding a ring-tailed possum by the tail (private collection), has been attributed to Hardwicke by Plomley and Henley, although it is perhaps more likely to have been by Elizabeth Chapman, Hardwicke’s fiancée, who married Hardwicke in the same church six days after Fanny’s christening. (The annotation on the painting is obviously a later addition.) C.B. Hardwicke’s life indicates no interest in art. He was chief constable at Longford from 1823 until forced to resign in 1826 after being convicted of selling illicit spirits. He received large grants of land both before and after his conviction and became a successful pastoralist and justice of the peace. His major interest, however, lay in breeding and racing horses. He was seeking permission to conduct race-meetings from soon after his arrival and became one of the founders of the Cornwall Turf Club in March 1830. Hardwicke died at Launceston on 27 September 1880, survived by 14 children, Elizabeth having predeceased him. Writers: Staff Writer Date written: 1992 Last updated: 2011

Born

b. 2 August 1788

Summary

Naval officer and settler, the only sketch attributed to him may have in fact been drawn by his fiancée, Elizabeth Chapman. The sketch is of a young Aboriginal girl who had been abducted from the Piper River people.

Gender

Male

Died

27 September 1880

Age at death

92