RUSE, James (1760-1837)

"first settler"

was born in Cornwall, England, in 1760, and worked on the land. In 1782 he was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, probably for some trifling offence, and arrived in Australia with the first fleet in January 1788. He was known for his good behaviour and diligence, and his sentence having expired in July 1789, Phillip (q.v.) placed him on land at Parramatta, one acre of which had been cleared, gave him seed, implements, and some assistance, and a promise that if he showed that he was able to support himself, he would be given a grant of 30 acres of land. Ruse worked hard and intelligently, and got the land into a thoroughly good condition before sowing his wheat in May and June 1790. An account of his methods is given on pp. 80-1 of A Complete Account of the Settlement at Port Jackson by Watkin Tench (q.v.). Ruse expected to reap about eight bushels to the acre. He was given his 30 acres on 30 Match 1791, the first land grant in Australia. In 1793 he sold his land to Dr Harris of the New South Wales Corps, and in 1794 obtained another grant at the junction of South Creek and the Hawkesbury. He was also given a grant of 100 acres in January 1810. He died on 5 September 1837. He married Elizabeth Terry and had at least one son.

James Jervis, Journal and Proceedings Parramatta and District Historical Society, vol. III, pp. 58-61; A. Britton, History of New South Wales, vol. II, pp. 156-8; Historical Records of Australia, ser. I, vol. I; F. Watson, The Beginnings of Government in Australia; J. K. Sampson, Journal and Proceedings Royal Australian Historical Society, vol. XXV, pp. 1-79. On pp. 67-72 there is a summary of the facts relating to the disputed date of the first grant.