Swan River Colony
A brief history of the Swan River Colony in relation to Reilly family history
In 1829, Captain James Stirling on board HMS Parmelia, anchored off Fremantle at Garden Island. On board were the first settlers bound for the Swan River Colony, now known as Perth.
From the time of first settlement, Rottnest Island off the coast of the Swan River Colony was of interest for farming, fishing and salt harvesting. One early pioneer and Reilly ancestor, Charles Norcott, bought some land and attempted to set up a fishing venture, though it failed. In 1839, Rottnest island was established as a jail for Aboriginal prisoners.
Though the Swan River Colony was founded as a 'free settlement', the initial settlers had many difficulties, which compelled them to seek help from the British, in an offer to accept convicts. Western Australia therefore became a penal colony in 1850.
Between then and 1868, over 9000 convicts were transported to Western Australia on 43 convict ship voyages. On one of these ships, the Pyrenees, Joseph Reilly and his wife and children was on board.
In 1856, Perth was officially proclaimed a city by Queen Victoria.
In 1893, electricity was introduced to the city.