A Geographical, Historical and Topographical Description of Van Diemen's Land, with Important Hints to Emigrants and Useful Information Respecting the Application for Grants of Land

Maker George William Evans (1780-1852)

Date1822

Object number00001521

NameBook

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 135 x 223 x 14 mm, 0.35 kg

ClassificationsBooks and journals

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionAn immigrant guide book titled 'A Geographical, Historical and Topographical Description of Van Diemen's Land, with Important Hints to Emigrants and Useful Information Respecting the Application for Grants of Land; Together with a List of the Most Necessary Articles for Persons to Take Out. Embellished by, a Correct View of Hobart Town; also a Large Chart of the Island, with the Soundings of the Harbours and Rivers, and in Which the Various Grants of Land are Accurately Laid Down' by George William Evans.HistoryGeorge William Evans was a British surveyor and explorer arriving at Port Jackson aboard HMS BUFFALO on 16 October 1802. In August 1803, Evans was appointed as acting surveyor-general and the following year explored the Warragamba River, reaching as upstream to the present site of Warragamba Dam. In September 1812, he went to Tasmania in relation to surveying land grants and remained there for one year. In 1813, back in New South Wales, he became the first European to cross the Great Dividing Range. Over the next few years, Evans and his family were based in Tasmania with Evans on occasion being recalled to New South Wales to continue surveying and exploration work, on two expeditions with Surveyor-General John Oxley. While his ability as an explorer was held in high regard, Evans suffered reputational damage in Tasmania at the hands of lieutenant governor George Arthur who accused Evans of bribery and illegal disposing of crown lands in his role as surveyor. He resigned from his position in December 1825 and while receiving a pension, Evans returned to London in 1826 and took up a position as art teacher. He returned to New South Wales in 1832 to continue his art teaching and became a bookseller and stationer. In August 1849, after the death of his second wife, Evens returned to Hobart, where he died on 16 October 1852 and was buried in St John's churchyard, New Town. He had at least twelve children, seven by his first marriage and five by his second. SignificanceGeorge William Evans was a significant figure in early European presence in Australia, particularly Tasmania. His knowledge as a surveyor and explorer of New South Wales and Tasmania made him a particularly well suited author of this guide for new arrivals.