Joseph Wild
Encyclopedia
Joseph Wild (c.1759 or 1773–1847) was an early explorer of Australia. He was sentenced on 21 August 1793 in Chester for burglary, together with his brother, George. Both were transported to Australia
as convicts in 1797, arriving in Port Jackson (Sydney
) on the ship the Ganges on 2 June (George died in 1812). He was under the charge of physician and pastoralist Charles Throsby
and together they later became explorers in southern New South Wales. In particular they were the first Europeans to explore the area that became the Australian Capital Territory
and Wild was credited with the discovery of Lake George
. In 1810 he received a ticket of leave, and in January 1813 he was granted a conditional pardon. On 9 December 1815 Wild was appointed first Constable of the Five Islands District (now Illawarra
). During the next few years he accompanied Throsby on many expeditions throughout New South Wales
. In 1819 he was granted 100 acre (0.404686 km²) in Sutton Forest for services for Throsby and in 1821 he was appointed constable of the County of Argyle. It is said that he and his wife Elizabeth had a large family. He died on the 25th May 1847 when he was gored by a bull at Wingecarribee Swamp. He was the first person to be buried behind the church in the Bong Bong Cemetery, Moss Vale, New South Wales.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
as convicts in 1797, arriving in Port Jackson (Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
) on the ship the Ganges on 2 June (George died in 1812). He was under the charge of physician and pastoralist Charles Throsby
Charles Throsby
Charles Throsby was an Australian explorer, pioneer and parliamentarian. He opened up much new land beyond the Blue Mountains for colonial settlement. He was a grazier, and became a prominent member of New South Wales society.- Early life :...
and together they later became explorers in southern New South Wales. In particular they were the first Europeans to explore the area that became the Australian Capital Territory
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory, often abbreviated ACT, is the capital territory of the Commonwealth of Australia and is the smallest self-governing internal territory...
and Wild was credited with the discovery of Lake George
Lake George (New South Wales)
Lake George is a lake in south-eastern New South Wales, Australia about 30 minutes drive north-east of Canberra along the Federal Highway en route to Sydney.-Geography / Geology:...
. In 1810 he received a ticket of leave, and in January 1813 he was granted a conditional pardon. On 9 December 1815 Wild was appointed first Constable of the Five Islands District (now Illawarra
Illawarra
Illawarra is a region in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is a coastal region situated immediately south of Sydney and north of the Shoalhaven or South Coast region. It encompasses the cities of Wollongong, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven and the town of Kiama. The central region contains Lake...
). During the next few years he accompanied Throsby on many expeditions throughout New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. In 1819 he was granted 100 acre (0.404686 km²) in Sutton Forest for services for Throsby and in 1821 he was appointed constable of the County of Argyle. It is said that he and his wife Elizabeth had a large family. He died on the 25th May 1847 when he was gored by a bull at Wingecarribee Swamp. He was the first person to be buried behind the church in the Bong Bong Cemetery, Moss Vale, New South Wales.