Important People 3 - Governor King

Settlement near the Nepean River was thin and disorganised prior to 1803. The area was viewed as prime agricultural land and some settlements may have occurred at "Birds Eye Corner" on the major bend of the river.
Settlement accelerated with Governor King surveying the area and handing out land grants along the river between present-day Penrith and Agnes Banks. Most of the best blocks were given to ex-soldiers as an inducement for them to remain in the colony, but many grants were also given to enterprising convicts, who often proved the better farmers.

Map of grants along the Nepean

Governor King was very successful through grants like these and other reforms in making the colony largely self-sufficient in food production. The fencing of the land, however, inevitably led to conflict with the traditional owners. A number of conflicts occurred during his time along the Hawkesbury-Nepean.

Philip Gidley King

http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/king-philip-gidley-2309