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William “Lumpy” Dean
William Dean arrived in Sydney on 26th July, 1799 on the
‘Hillsborough’ at the age of 23. He stole
20 pounds from his employer, James Hassen of Cavendish Square,
London. He appeared at the Old Bailey on 17th July, 1795,
found guilty, he was sentenced to be hanged. His sentence was
respited to transportation to Port Jackson for the term of his
natural life.
He was assigned a convict, Elizabeth Hollingsworth, who had been
sentenced to transportation for stealing one pound from her
employer William Adams. He married her on Christmas Day
1806.
Dean was granted 1000 acres of land, excised from the government
farm, by Governor Macquarie on 24th January 1817. This
land, on the South side of Western Rd was granted on condition that
Dean maintained and keep a house of entertainment for travellers;
otherwise the grant reverted to the Crown. He later obtained 2 50
acre parcels opposite. At that time is was a 7 hour ride from
Sydney to the Inn.
Governor Macquarie ordered a small barracks building to be
erected on the Northern side of the western Road on Dean’s
land. This building, known as the Garrison, housed a small party of
soldiers and convict work parties employed on the Western Road.
Dean later reclaimed the Garrison and converted it to the family
house, “Hollingsworth”. Hollingsworth was occupied by
Dean’s extended family and descendants until its demolition
during the 1960’s when the Great Western Highway was
widened.
The only item that remains of this house is the domed cistern,
thought to collect rain water from the house roof.
A small village grew around Dean’s Inn with a school,
blacksmith’s shop and a church. The village was originally
known as Hebersham and later renamed Eastern Creek.
William Dean gave his name to Dean Park.
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