John macarthur nsw

John Macarthur ? Alexander Macarthur was a mercer and draper in Plymouth, whose business was inherited by his eldest son, James. It was this background that later gave John Macarthur's enemies in New South Wales the excuse to lampoon him as 'Jack Boddice', a staymaker's apprentice. However, by enough influence had been secured to obtain an ensign's commission in Fish's Corps for the year-old John.

This corps, specially intended for the American war, was still being assembled in England when the war ended. When it was disbanded in Macarthur, on half-pay, retired to a farm at Holsworthy in Devon. There he remained in rural seclusion for almost five years, endeavouring fruitlessly to obtain military placement and in his discouragement toying with the idea of turning to law, for which he displayed an amateur but vigorous talent all his life.

He returned to full pay in April as an ensign in the 68th Regiment later Durham Light Infantry stationed at Gibraltar since By 5 June he had dramatically enhanced his rank and opportunity by transferring as a lieutenant to the New South Wales Corps, then being enlisted for duty at Botany Bay. After a quarrel that ended in a duel with the first master of the ship and another disagreement with his successor, Macarthur transferred his family to the Scarborough before the fleet reached the Cape of Good Hope.

There he contracted a critical illness which, though he made an unexpected recovery, was to leave recurring symptoms throughout his life. The family arrived in Port Jackson on 28 June , nourishing hopes of quick promotion and a subsequent return to England.

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Next year Macarthur was posted inland to the Rose Hill settlement for four months. Incorrigibly haughty he early trod a path strewn with minor hostilities which led to his withdrawal from all social intercourse at Government House after a reprimand from Governor Arthur Phillip. In , under the benevolent aegis of his newly-arrived commanding officer, Major Francis Grose , Macarthur returned to Parramatta as regimental paymaster with an added salary more than double his lieutenant's pay.