Accounts ledger for Dunheved Farm, owned by Philip Parker King

A detailed record of farm management in the early 1800’s. Original manuscript ledger, commenced by P.P. King in September 1817, in his holograph, and partly by other hands during his absence from Sydney, and ending in April 1822, when King returned to England at the conclusion of his survey.

Phillip Parker King, son of Governor King, was one of the greatest hydrographers of his era, conducting numerous surveys of the Australian coastline in the schooner Mermaid and other vessels. King returned to Sydney on 1st September, 1817, with his new bride, Harriet, and lived at Dunheved Farm until he found a suitable residence in Parramatta. Here his wife and family were domiciled while he was away surveying in northern and western coastal waters of Australia.

During King’s five years in Sydney, he consolidated his property by buying thirteen farms adjacent to Dunheved Farm, totalling 4,140 acres, for an average price of about eight shillings an acre. These he listed in the accounts with a note: “All the farms purchased by me…are the joint property of Mrs King, P.P. King, Elizabeth King, Mary King, notwithstanding they are transferred in my name. (Signed) Phillip P. King, February 28th, 1821.” Also of interest are the lists of convicts employed on Dunheved Farm – they received rations and 10 pounds pa.