Welcome to Sorell
For hundreds of generations across many thousands of years, the Sorell district was the territory of the Mumirimina people of the Oyster Bay Nation. When surveyor James Meehan passed through the district in 1803, so began the British invasion and occupation of Mumirimina land, “fundamentally and devastatingly altering the way of life they’d known”.
In 1805 surveyor George Prideaux Harris surveyed the area that was known as Gloucester when the first farms were established in 1806. Governor Lachlan Macquarie confirmed the first land grants in 1812 and in 1815 Robert Nash built a windmill on his land grant at Sorell and infamous bushrangers attacked local farmsteads. Violent conflicts across the ‘settled districts’ of Van Diemen’s Land escalated through the 1820s.
In 1821 Van Diemen’s Land was still part of NSW and Scottish soldier and administrator, Lachlan Macquarie (1761-1824) was the fifth governor of the colony of NSW (1810 to 1821).
Governor Lachlan Macquarie portrait [National Museum of Australia]
Macquarie toured the colony before his return to England. He visited Van Diemen’s Land, naming several towns during his journey: Perth (30th May), Campbell Town (31st May), Ross (2nd June), Oatlands (3rd June), Brighton (5th June). Then on an excursion from Hobart on 20th June Macquarie named Sorell in honor of Colonel William Sorell, Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen’s Land (1817 – 1824).
Governor William Sorell [TAO-PH30:1:111/SHS]
From April to July 1821 Macquarie kept a detailed journal of his travels:
“Wednesday 20. June 1821 At ½ past 9. a.m. set out on a Tour of Inspection to the Districts of Pitt Water and Coal River accompanied by Lt. Govr. Sorell, Lt. Robinson, Dr. Redfern, Mr. Evans & Lt. Macquarie.
We ferried from Hobart Town to Kangaroo Bay (disce. 2 miles) where we found our Horses ready waiting for us – and set out from thence at 10,O’Clock; arrived at the Bluff on Pitt Water at ½ past 12 at Noon, disce. 10 miles, and ferried from thence to Pitt Water District, disce. 4 mile –, where we landed at ½ past 1. P.M. near Mr. Wade’s Farm. —We met several of the most respectable Settlers waiting there for us, along with Mr. Gordon the Magistrate of the District.
From the Landing Place we proceeded to the Ground intended for the site of the Township, which I named “Sorell” in honor of the Lt. Governor.
It is a beautiful commanding Piece of Ground, centrical for the District – and well watered by a running stream; – a Jail has been already built here – and I have now marked out the site of a School House and temporary Place of Worship. There is Water Carriage to this Town, which is highly advantageous.
From Sorell we proceeded to the Farm of Mr. Reardon disce. 2 miles, and took up our Quarters at his House, it being a very good one. —
Our Servants and Baggage had arrived there the day before, and we sent our Horses round from the Bluff to the narrow Ferry of Pitt Water at Mr. Gordon’s. —
Thursday 21. June We set out from Reardon’s after Breakfast this morning at ½ past 10, to visit the several Farms of this beautiful rich District, returning Home by “Orielton Park” (the Farm of Mr. Edward Lord) and the Town of Sorell. — We did not get back to Reardon’s till past 5 O’Clock; but I was very highly gratified with my day’s Excursion. —
As the community grew the pioneer spirit of the new settlers created opportunity and a better life for their families. In 1816 the colonial government purchased land for the Pitt Water township which was established in 1819, home to nine residents and surrounded by 60 farms. For five years from 1817 the 40th Regiment was stationed at the town. By the time the town was named Sorell in 1821 the settlers and convicts numbered 130; the first school was built, with 57 students under the charge of headmaster Charles Hippesley Cox; a gaol was built and the first public houses were licensed.
Two hundred years on, the Tasmanian Aboriginal community continues as the traditional and original owners and custodians of the land and waterways.
Sorell township is a regional centre with a population of around 3000, including many families with connections to early settlers and convicts.
Reference: https://sorellhistory.org/sorell-2021/
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